Abstract
Theological and secular concepts ofstewardship evolved markedly in the 20thcentury. During this period of evolution, theAmerican Country Life Association through itschurch, academic, farm organization, andgovernmental affiliations, served as a bridgingand bonding agent in developing the stewardshipidea. As in any evolutionary process, thestewardship concept was subjected to a broadarray of influences and characterized bynotable highlights such as the Lynn Smithcritique of the Judaeo-Christian ethic, theman-in-nature statement of Douglas John Hall,and the environmental concerns of ecologistsand philosophers of the post-Rachel Carson era.Some gains have been made in understanding theplace of humans in nature, but the stewardshipidea continues as work in process.
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Wunderlich, G. Evolution of the Stewardship Idea in American Country Life. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 17, 77–93 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAGE.0000010846.63168.5e
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JAGE.0000010846.63168.5e