THE ECOLOGICALLY NOBLE SAVAGE REVISITED

The stereotype of the ''ecologically noble savage'' is still prevalent in European-American discourses. I examine the empirical justificatio ns offered for this stereotype, concluding that we lack sound empirica l grounds for believing in ''ecological nobility.'' I argue that the s tereotype should be abandoned because it has negative consequences for native peoples. Instead of accepting questionable stereotypes, philos ophers and others should focus on the lives of particular peoples in o rder to understand their philosophies as well as the relationships tha t they maintain with their homelands.