In this article Marianne O’Brien considers and reflects upon the aesthetic significance of Simon Hailwood’s conception of nature as articulated in an earlier volume of this journal in his paper ‘The Value of Nature’s Otherness’ (Hailwood 2000: 353–72).

Using a case of mad cow disease in the United States, this paper argues, statements of risk are ultimately social products that come to us by way of translation.

Emily Brady argues for the importance of aesthetic value, as aesthetic experience is already embedded in a range of human practices and should be considered in policy debates.

Responding to conference papers on aesthetics and environmentalism, this essay argues that sound environmental policy should begin with basic questions about the purpose and extent of human life.