The Physico-Theology anticipated modern ecotheology within a managerial framework

Evidence

Ray’s philosophy of progress was extended by his follower William Derham to the concept of human stewardship over the whole natural world. Derham’s Physico-Theology (1713) might today have been called an ecotheology. It embodied a number of ecologically sound principles, in a managerial framework of stewardship modeled on man’s role as caretaker of God’s creation. — Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature, 916

Categorization

• DEFINE: Crisp definition of ‘ecotheology’ and its historical origin point in Derham’s 1713 text — useful course terminology.
• XREF: connects to: Natural theology reframed godly stewardship as managerial mastery compatible with growth capitalism — Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology,…, 925; Sustainable economy requires ecology, human welfare, and spirit woven as one — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom,…, 533; Managerial conservation subordinated nature’s own value system to human efficiency — Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology,…, 884

Broader Connections

• Natural theology reframed godly stewardship as managerial mastery compatible with growth capitalism #corroborates (0.95) — Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature, 925
• Managerial conservation subordinated nature’s own value system to human efficiency #complicates (0.85) — Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature, 884
• Sustainable economy requires ecology, human welfare, and spirit woven as one #complicates (0.75) — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 533