Decades ago, when the concern over ecology centered around the problems of conventional environmentalism, when environmental issues were seen in practical and limited terms that could be resolved by legislative action, public education, and personal example, Murray Bookchin was already at work formulating his unique philosophy of social ecology. This philosophy, which would serve in the highest ethical sense as a guide for human conduct and would provide an awareness of humanity's place in nature, is offered here in The Philosophy of Social Ecology.