Academic research in the 1990s led Catherine Larrère to pivot from the history of economic theory toward the emerging discipline of environmental ethics. By integrating lessons from international scholars, she helped establish the field in France, focusing her work on the intersections of nature protection, environmental justice, and risk management through a rigorous philosophical lens.
Academic Career
Born in La Rochelle in 1944, Catherine Larrère pursued her education at the École normale supérieure de jeunes filles and the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. Her teaching tenure spanned several decades and multiple institutions. She began at the University of Clermont-Ferrand, holding a position there from 1970 to 1979. She subsequently joined Blaise Pascal University, known as Clermont II, where she taught from 1979 until 1990. Following this period, she held a post at Bordeaux Montaigne University between 1990 and 1997. Her academic journey culminated in a professorship at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, where she served from 2004 until 2014, eventually earning the title of professor emeritus.
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Larrère’s early scholarly output focused on the history of eighteenth-century economics, reflected in her 1992 doctoral thesis on the transition from natural law to physiocracy. During the 1990s, her intellectual trajectory shifted significantly after meeting the American academic John Baird Callicott. Inspired by his work, she began translating his research into French and advocating for the adoption of Anglo-American environmental ethics within the French philosophical community. Her collaboration with the agronomist and ecologist Raphaël Larrère resulted in several joint publications, including examinations of environmental crises, the utilization of nature, and the ethics of technology.
Research Scope and Publications
Her vast bibliography reflects a deep engagement with the history of philosophy, particularly the works of Montesquieu and the social roles of women as analyzed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Her later work addresses contemporary dilemmas such as the Anthropocene and environmental inequalities. Books such as L’écologie est politique, published in 2013, and Penser l’anthropocène, released in 2018, illustrate her commitment to applying philosophical inquiry to current ecological and political challenges. She has also examined the concept of the sacred in nature and the ethical frameworks proposed by thinkers like Hans Jonas.
Fast facts
- Born: 1944, La Rochelle
- Citizenship: France
- Primary Field: Environmental Ethics
- Academic Status: Professor emeritus, Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne
- Key Recognition: Knight of the National Order of Merit (2012)
- Honorary Doctorate: Laval University (2019)
- Frequent Collaborator: Raphaël Larrère
Questions readers ask
Which major philosophical figure is Larrère known for studying?
She is recognized as a specialist in the philosophy of Montesquieu.
What is the focus of her environmental research?
Her work centers on nature protection, environmental justice, risk prevention, and the ethical implications of the Anthropocene.
Achievements
- Knight of the National Order of Merit — 2012
- Held posts at University of Clermont-Ferrand (1896-1976), Blaise Pascal University (Clermont II) and Bordeaux Montaigne University
- Fields: environmental ethics, philosophy and political philosophy
