Introduction to the philosophy of other-than-human heritage

The concept of heritage can currently apply to both cultural products and the natural environment. Nevertheless, in heritage studies relatively little space is devoted to natural heritage, whereby heritage is almost exclusively identified as cultural heritage. As a result, the philosophy of heritage is essentially a philosophy of cultural heritage. This article seeks to identify two contemporary approaches to natural heritage and its protection. One is founded on the culture–nature dichotomy and calls for the protection of natural heritage by separating it from society. The second arises from the belief in moving beyond this dichotomy and considering natural heritage as an object of human activity that should be protected through sustainable development. Both approaches are reconstructed on the basis of selected theoretical writings and documents pertaining to environmental protection. They are also confronted with the idea of the aesthetic experience of nature – after all, aesthetic properties are included among the most important values of natural heritage