philosophy & Public Policy Quarterly

Abstract

Environmentalism: Death and Resurrection Scientists, experts, and other environmental professionals debate technical concepts such as "ecosystem services," "biodiversity," "ecological resilience," "benefits valuation" and "sustainability." As a result, the environmental movement has ceased to be a popular political cause and become an academic research program. Mark Sagoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Gospel According to Conservation Biology The field of conservation biology presents itself as a science but its policy prescriptions reflect a powerful set of values. On closer examination, these values turn out to be religious and specifically to be derived from Christian sources. Conservation biologists need to pay more attention to this theological side of their discipline. Robert H. Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Education Policy and the Limits of Technocracy Policymakers—liberal and conservative alike—try to improve education by manipulating incentives. That’s the rationale for vouchers, high-stakes tests, and calls to increase funding. The forgotten alternative is to deliberate about, and participate in, the actual process of public education. Peter Levine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Teaching the Bible in the Public Schools: Reading the Bible as Literature There is increased interest in teaching the Bible "as literature" in public schools. The proponents may be in for a surprise. Read as literature, the Bible significantly parts company with central tenets of both Judaism and Christianity. Jerome M. Segal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .