Society & nature - Peter Dickens

Society and Nature is a lively and highly accessible introductionto the sociology of the environment. The book provides acomprehensive guide to contemporary issues and current debates -including society, nature and the enlightenment, industry andenvironmental transformation, commodification, consumption, thenetwork society and human identity, human biology, citizenship andnew social movements.


Combining insights from contemporary sociology, politics,developmental biology and psychology, Peter Dickens suggests thatenvironmental degradation is largely due to humanity's narcissisticdemand that the environment be made into a commodity to beconsumed. Meanwhile, human biology is also being modified: people'sbodies are being rebuilt in ways that reflect their classpositions. People and their surroundings have always adaptedaccording to the demands of society. But modern capitalist societyis changing the environment and its people in profound, potentiallycatastrophic, ways, shaping both human and non-human nature in itsown image.


The book contains a number of student features to interest andguide the reader as well as an attractive and clear layout. It willbe particularly useful for students and teachers of sociology,human ecology, environmental studies and social theory.


Dickens' insight won his work the American SociologicalAssociation's Outstanding Publication Award 2006, in theEnvironment and Technology section.