The Conception of Natural Goods in Economics

The integrative conception of nature developed by Westra (dy1994) can be expressed in positive terms, and most studies in this book tend to express it in some such way. We can argue for this integrative conception indirectly as well, by underscoring the weaknesses of its rival. Its rival is one of the most influential ways of thinking about nature in economics, the Cartesian conception of nature. It is this concept of nature that I should like to examine here. According to numerous ecophilosophers, Descartes—or the general Cartesian picture of nature—is responsible for the present environmental crisis (Grey 1991). The Cartesian conception encourages economic participants to use natural assets without limitation, and it prevents an understanding of the essence of environmental degradation and precludes the search for adequate environmental solutions. Therefore, the statement and critique of such a conception is absolutely necessary to formulating any alternative conception of nature (Drengson, 1989).