Michael E. Zimmerman is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has been concerned about environmental problems since his undergraduate years, and his research has examined the metaphysical, cultural, ethical, cognitive, political, and religious dimensions of such problems.
Like many others in the field of environmental studies, Zimmerman maintains that a multidisciplinary approach is needed both to comprehend the issues and to propose effective solutions. Although criticizing the command-and-control attitude toward nature that has characterized modernity, Zimmerman has also warned of the dangers posed by the anti-modernist attitudes that characterize some versions of environmentalism. He asks: How to retain what is noble about modernity, including the freedoms connected with politics, research, and religion, while correcting its shortcomings, including serious environmental problems?
In addition to his work with philosophers Ken Wilber and Sean-Esbjörn Hargens on helping to develop and apply an integrative model to the study of the environment, Zimmerman has written two books on the philosophy of Martin Heidegger. He is also the author of numerous articles and scholarly papers, including contributions to anthologies and journals on topics ranging from Buddhism and gender to the work of Friedrich Nietzsche and contemporary continental philosophy.
Zimmerman graduated from Louisiana State University and Tulane University, where he taught for over twenty-five years.
other related websites
Professional site (including CV and other essays)
http://www.colorado.edu/ArtsSciences/CHA/zimmerman.htm
