| The growing network of ecocentric theory holds that nature exists for its own sake rather than for the benefit of human economic, scientific or recreational designs. Ecocentric proponents have been vigorous in their rejection of individualistic mainstream environmentalism, on the one hand, and the contemporary property-rights movement, on the other hand, but have been less attentive to the task of theorizing the property implications of their own arguments. This project investigates the meaning of property and ownership within the ecocentric perspective and examines an ecocentric theory of property as it relates to land ownership. In doing so, the project presents and defends the following theses: (1) Ecocentrism relies upon a concept of moral standing in which the bearers of interests are humans, non-humans, species and ecosystems, all of which are constituted at least in part by their ecological interdependencies. An ecocentric theory of property, therefore, must recognize an interwoven network of interests at the levels of humans and non-humans, individuals and wholes. (2) Universal cross-species egalitarianism quickly leads to theoretical impotence; therefore, ecocentrism must account for moral significance as well as moral standing. A two-factor system of weighted interests provides coherence and viability to an ecocentric theory of property. (3) Ecocentrists are compelled to recognize the critical distinction between humans' moral standing, which is not unique, and humans' power standing, which is unique in some decisive respects. This distinction between moral standing and power standing is a significant component of the weighted interests of individuals, species and ecosystems as applied to an ecocentric theory of property. (4) An ecocentric theory of property faces significant conceptual and practical problems when applied to agricultural land ownership. Nonetheless, ecocentrism's shared universe of moral standing, the two-factor system of weighted interests and recognition of the distinction between humans' moral and power standing provides a coherent and valuable analytical framework through a reconceptualization of the concept of stewardship. |
