American Environmentalism ? Values, Tactics, Priorities : John Wiley & Sons : 9780890969724 : 0890969728 : 30 Jun 2000 : One of the chief problems of the American environmental movement is the definition of philosophy-the exploration, examination, and elucidation of ideas-of the many different causes that have been combined in it. In this book Joseph Petulla sorts out the various issues and concepts of environmentalism by tracing their inspiration and values from the three traditions of environmental thought-the biocentric, the ecologic, and the economic. He examines the movement's historical roots, assumptions, goals, values, politics, struggles, successes, limitations, trends, and, finally, the priorities it has brought to the national consciousness. This disentangling, clarifying process involves political implications and judgments about the recent directions of the environmental movement. Absolutist assumptions and methodologies often lead environmentalists and their opponents