Holmes Rolston III

Holmes Rolston III (November 19, 1932 – February 12, 2025) was an American philosopher, best known for his contributions to environmental ethics and the relationship between science and religion. He held the title of University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Colorado State University. Ordained as a Presbyterian minister, Rolston's early career faced conflict due to his environmental interests, leading him to academia. He earned degrees from Davidson College, Union Presbyterian Seminary, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Pittsburgh. His work explored the intrinsic value of nature, the ethics of predation, and the intersection of scientific and religious thought. Rolston was a recipient of the prestigious Templeton Prize in 2003 and delivered the Gifford Lectures. He was also a founding president of the International Society for Environmental Ethics and lectured on all seven continents, earning him recognition as a significant voice in environmental philosophy.