The death of our planet's species

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The rate of species extinction is unprecedented, with estimates suggesting one species disappears every 20 minutes, primarily due to human activities. Despite this crisis, ethical considerations are often overlooked, focusing instead on the loss of potentially valuable resources for science and medicine. Martin Gorke argues that this utilitarian view is both shortsighted and morally deficient. With doctoral degrees in ecology and philosophy, Gorke is well-equipped to explore the extinction crisis from both scientific and philosophical angles. He reviews extensive literature, merging these typically separate lines of reasoning. Gorke critically assesses current ecological knowledge and advocates for recognizing the intrinsic value of all nature, including every species. Central to his argument is an exploration of morality, positing that the universal nature of moral principles does not allow for arbitrary exclusions from moral consideration. Thus, any act of exclusion contradicts a genuine moral perspective. This work presents a compelling and original argument regarding the philosophical and ethical aspects of species conservation, combining theoretical depth with accessible writing. Originally published in German, this edition makes Gorke's insights available to English-speaking audiences for the first time.