Ethics Against Extinction

Ethics Against Extinction examines the ethical responsibilities of humans in response to the ongoing extinction of animal species, a central issue in the contemporary environmental crisis. It argues that the expansion of technological power has made human activity a threat to the planet’s ecological balance, and that any viable future requires a shift in consciousness and lifestyle toward modesty, precaution, and frugality. Drawing on the philosophy of Hans Jonas and engaging with thinkers such as Arne Naess, James Lovelock, Pablo Solón, and Ailton Krenak, the book explores the concept of cosmic equilibrium and the moral obligation to protect animal life. It critically assesses technological approaches to conservation, from habitat restoration and monitoring to biotechnology and assisted reproduction, highlighting their political and economic dimensions. Through the lens of convivialism and Indigenous knowledge, the book proposes a framework for coexistence with animals based on interdependence, respect for diversity, and shared responsibility. It argues that extinction is not only a biological loss, but also a cultural one, and calls for an ethics of responsibility grounded in philosophical biology and informed by traditional ecological perspectives.