J. Baird Callicott, a recognized authority in the area of environmental philosophy, will present a convocation lecture on "Environmental Ethics: The Birth of a New Branch of Philosophy" at 8 p.m. on Wednesday (April 7) in the Burton D. Morgan Lecture Hall (Room 115). Co-sponsored by the department of philosophy and the environmental studies program, his lecture is free and open to the public. He also will give a philosophy colloquium on "Should Endangered Species Have Standing?" at 4:30 p.m., on Thursday (April 8) in Samson Talbot Hall Room 210.

Author of numerous books including "In Defense of the Land Ethic," "Beyond the Land Ethic," and "American Indian Environmental Ethics: An Ojibwa Case Study," Callicott is professor of philosophy and religion studies in the Institute of Applied Sciences at the University of North Texas.

"He is one of the foremost interpreters of the 'land ethic' of Aldo Leopold," says Steve Vogel, professor of philosophy and chair of Denison's department of philosophy. "More importantly, he's one of the foremost environmental thinkers in the world today. He argues forcefully that ecological ideas have enormous implications for our understanding of our own place in the natural world and of our moral obligations towards that world," Vogel continues. "He thinks that ecology teaches us that the natural system we are part of forms a community, one that we have real moral obligations towards just as we do toward other communities like our families, neighborhoods, nations and so forth."

Callicott edited the "Companion to 'A Sand County Almanac'" (the Almanac is one of Leopold's best known works) as well as collections of Leopold's work and other important anthologies on environment thought. He has written more than 100 book chapters, journal articles, encyclopedia entries and book reviews.

Callicott also has served as president of the International Society for Environmental Ethics. His research interests include theoretical environmental ethics, land ethics, the philosophy of ecology and conservation, and comparative environmental philosophy.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575