7
What is Environmental Ethics?
Learning ObjectivesTo be able to:-• Present presentations and discuss one current environmental issue• Explore key words for environmental ethics
Key Words Anthropocentric – An approach to the environment
that places human interests above those of any other species.
Biocentric – An approach to the environment
that considers the biological nature and diversity of the Earth to be of supreme importance.
Biodiversity – The natural variety of living
things on earth. Conservation Ethics – The ethics of the use, allocation,
protection and exploitation of the natural world
Deep Ecology – All life forms as of value and
human life as just one part of the biosphere. It rejects anthropomorphism.
Dominion – The Judaeo-Christian idea that
humans have a special place in the natural world and have responsibility for it.
Ecosophy – Word formed by contracting the
phrase ‘ecological philosophy’. Refers to philosophies which have an ecocentric or biocentric perspective such as deep ecology.
Gaia Hypothesis – A theory of James Lovelock Geocentric – Considers the geological
nature and diversity of the Earth to be most important.
Holistic – Considers a range of
factors – including the importance of balance within the ecosystem.
Instrumental value – Something’s value lies in
its usefulness for others.
Intrinsic value – Something’s value lies in
itself. Sentience – The ability to feel pleasure
or pain. Shallow Ecology – The earth is cared for to
make conditions better for humans.
Stewardship – A way of interpreting the
use of dominion, which sees humans as caretakers of the natural world.
Library
You have 10 minutes in the library to finish your presentations
If you have finished you can go back to H14 to practice
I will be recording your presentations
So What Are Environmental Ethics?
The relationship between people and the natural world and the kind of decisions we make about
Cutting down trees Pollution and manufacturing cars
that do not pollute the environment
Should we protect species? What are our obligations to the
future generation?
What are the common issues?
Global warming Increasing Technology
So how do we decide what to do? There is no international code
So how should we relate to earth’s resources, species, plants?
What are the different approaches?
Religious
Different secular approaches – 1. Libertarian Extension2. Ecological Extension (Eco-
holism)3. Conservative Ethics (shallow
ecology)
Homework Read up on different approaches to
environmental ethics.
Religious Different secular approaches – 1. Libertarian Extension2. Ecological Extension (Eco-holism)3. Conservative Ethics (shallow ecology)
(See Vardy chapter 18 –p 222-226, OCR Religious ethics p228 – 232 and Wright p 257-273)
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