Jainism and environmental philosophy: karma and the web of life

Environmental policy agendas, activism and academic research into ecological questions are all predominantly derived from the philosophical perspectives of the west.

At national and global levels, environmental policy-makers tend to work according to western-based methodologies.

At the same time emergent or developing economies are profoundly affected by the issues they address, including air pollution, rapid urban expansion, habitat loss and climate change.

Jain thought is a useful case study of a system of values in which environmental protection and the idea of a 'web of life' are central, but which has evolved in India independently of western environmentalism.

This book describes and explains Jain environmental philosophy, placing it in its cultural and historical context while comparing and contrasting with more familiar or 'mainstream' forms of ecological thought.