Ecocentrism, weighted interests and property theory

As a political and ecological philosophy, ecocentrism argues that nature in systemic terms exists for its own sake, not for the benefit of humans. The core environmental value at risk is the holistic wellness of ecosystems. Ecocentrists have demanded an ideological revolution based on dynamic ecosystem relations, not incremental policy reforms. In this regard they have been vigorous in their rejection of dominant Western ideas of property. Unfortunately they have been less devoted to the development of an alternative ecocentric theory of property. This paper clarifies ecocentrism’s theoretical foundations and argues for an ecocentric theory of property based on the concept of interests.