Madigan’s Book, Beyond Sustainability, Gets Second Edition

The second edition of the book co-written by Dr. Tim Madigan, a professor and department chair of philosophy, was published earlier this summer.

Madigan co-wrote the text, Beyond Sustainability, with a friend and colleague, Dr. Tim Delaney, professor of sociology at the State University of New York at Oswego.

The book approaches environmentalism via two academic disciplines, sociology and philosophy. Both have concerns about the environment’s ability not only to sustain itself but to thrive. The authors argue that rather than simple sustainability, we must promote thrivability for the sake of protecting the environment and all living things.

In this greatly expanded second edition, the authors have updated data and examples, introduced new topics and concepts, and emphasized the need to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. Numerous topics are explored, from the differences between sustainability and thrivability, and the overuse of plastic, to mass extinction, the role of natural disasters and more. The COVID-19 pandemic offers an added perspective on the relationship between disease and the environment.