Moral Foundations

Summary

Moral Foundations is the last book of Alexander Skutch’s century-long life. He will be remembered, first of all, as a scientist—a naturalist, a pioneering botanist, the world’s greatest expert on Central American birds, a legend in neo-tropical ornithology. But there was and is much more to tell about this remarkable man. To some mainstream environmentalists, he will remain a controversial and even heretical figure, especially in his espousal of biocompatibility over maximal biodiversity. For others, he will live on as an unmatched writer about nature who offers us a window into a beautiful and magical world. For still others, his thoughts on morals and religion are profoundly important, especially his belief in a religion that is neither dogmatic nor mystical, a form of spirituality that is both highly original and deeply moving.

Moral Foundations is in many respects the capstone work of Dr. Skutch’s long and fruitful life. It is an ideal introduction to the pleasures of moral philosophy and offers clear and stimulating answers to many of the perennial questions that all of us face in our own lives.

About the Author

Alexander Skutch was a world-renowned tropical ornithologist, naturalist, pioneering botanist, and unmatched writer who offered readers a window into beautiful and magical natural world and a belief in a religion that is neither dogmatic nor mystical—a form of spirituality and ethics that is highly original and deeply moving. Skutch was born in Baltimore, MD and earned a doctorate in botany from Johns Hopkins University. For more than six decades and until his death in 2004, Skutch lived on a farm in Costa Rica.