Thinking with and in Nature

: In this chapter, McKenna and Varner apply John Dewey’s ethical philosophy to environmental and animal ethics. They argue that Dewey’s experimental and fallibilistic approach offers a dynamic framework for addressing ecological challenges. Dewey emphasizes the continuity between humans and nature, advocating for an out-of-doors intelligence – an ethical reasoning that engages directly with natural and social environments rather than relying on fixed moral theories. Dewey rejects both domination of nature and passive nonintervention, favoring intelligent engagement where moral inquiry emerges through interaction with humans, animals, and ecosystems. Ethics, in this view, is a process of adapting habits through inquiry and experimentation rather than applying rigid principles. The authors argue that Dewey’s philosophy calls for thinking with rather than thinking about nature, fostering holistic, context-sensitive solutions. Ethical progress depends on experimental, adaptive inquiry that integrates human, animal, and environmental concerns, ensuring sustainable coexistence and responsible ecological stewardship. The authors conclude with two case studies that illustrate Dewey’s approach: US predator control and land stewardship at Bears Ears National Monument. The persistence of destructive wildlife management habits reflects the need for reform through intelligent inquiry. Collaborative efforts, such as conservation partnerships and the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, demonstrate Deweyan ethics in practice.