Transcript Local: Disputes Over Building Coal

Worldviews
can be narrow or broad
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World views reflect a
person’s or group’s
beliefs about the
meaning purpose
operation and
essence of the world.
Your view of the
world shapes your
ethical values
USA vs China
Ethics and Culture
Shape Our Worldviews
Two Contrasting Worldviews
1)Technological-scientific worldview
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See nature as something to be manipulated
2) Natural worldviews
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Emphasize connection between humans and nature
Environmental Ethics
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“Expands a circle or moral concern beyond
the human species to include at the very
least other mammals; perhaps lower
animals and plants; and finally entire
ecosystems.”
Gudorf and Hutchison
Two main types of
Environmental Ethics:
Individualistic
&
Holistic
Both holistic and individualistic
environmental ethics address --
Whose interests
count?
Whose interests
must we
consider?
The Evolution of Ethics: as time
passed, people broadened the
scope of their ethical consideration
Forefathers of Environmental
Ethics in the Industrial Revolution
Forefathers of
Environmental Ethics
20th Century Beginnings
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Began on Earth
Day, 1970
The 3 major perspectives fall into
the categories as being either
individualistic or holistic
3 Environmental Ethical Perspectives
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Anthropocentric
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Biocentric
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Ecocentric
Commonalties
All three value systems have are
concerned with human stewardship of the
natural world, however they differ sharply
for whom they do it.
Ethical Perspectives: Definitions
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Anthropocentrism – considers the
effects of environmental actions on
humans only
Biocentrism – considers the effects of
environmental actions on all living things
Ecocentrism – considers the effects of
environmental actions on all components
of our environment, both living and
nonliving
The Individualistic Approach:
Anthropocentrism
Anthropocentrism
Emphasizes human domination over nature and
views non-human environment as a bundle of
natural resources to be managed and exploited
for maximal human gain. The ecosystems have
only instrumental value, not intrinsic worth.
Implied or explicit in most Western religious
traditions.
“Not designed to address issues that go beyond
the narrow circle of human life.”
Gudorf and Hutchison
i.e.: Who has ‘standing’?
Human Individuals?
Anthropocentrism: The environment is
valuable to the extent is useful or
necessary for human well being
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Human centered – Altruistic or egoistic
Humans are the most important and dominant species
on earth
We should manage earth for our own benefit
Other species’ values depends on their usefulness to us
Utilitarianism – Always act to bring about the greatest
good for the greatest number of persons who are
affected by the action
Deontology – only humans are capable of performing
duties, and thus are the only organisms that have rights
Anthropocentrism Extended
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All sentient organisms
should be protected
Who has standing?
Sentient animals?
 Sentient
animals are those
who can experience pleasure
and/or pain
Jeremy Bentham: an early utilitarian
theorist, provided a basis for extending
moral standing beyond humans
 Peter Singer's "Animal Liberation" theory
provides a utilitarian argument pro-Animal
Liberation
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More Anthropogenic Beliefs
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There is always more
(the earth has
unlimited resources)
All economic growth
is good
The potential for
economic growth is
limitless
Can Anthropocentrism
Preserve the Earth?
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The natural world can
be valued and
preserved for the
benefits it brings to
people
Supposes that the
earth has no
“intrinsic” value
The Two Main Problems
Resulting From an
Anthropocentric Value System
 Overpopulation
 Preoccupation
with
possession, power and
ambition
Why does the world feel that we
need more children?
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Cultural
Lack of education
Sense of power for men
Sense of security in old age
Why do we feel we need more
stuff?
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Status
Missing non-material goals and spiritual
values in life
Disconnection of humans from the natural
world
media manipulation
Generational differences
Holistic Approaches -the basic idea:
The whole is
greater (and
more valuable)
than the
constitutive
parts
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2 Holistic Ethical Approaches
1) Biocentrism
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life-centered ethics
Extended to telos –
every organism has
a purposeful
directed life
Described by
Aristotle
Biocentrism
1. Humans are members of the Earth’s
community
2. All species are integral elements in a
system of interdependence
3. All organisms are centers of life, each
pursuing its own good
4. Humans are not inherently superior to
other living things
Biocentrism
- key problem
 Still
pre-ecological
 not
really focused on
ecosystems, but on
individual life forms.
2 Holistic Ethical Approaches
2)Ecocentrism
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Ecosystem-centered ethics
Aldo Leopold’s watershed
Land Ethic, 1949
"All ethics rest upon a single
premise: that the individual is a
member of a community of
interdependent parts.”
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A land use decision: “a thing is
right when it tends to preserve
the integrity, stability and beauty
of the biotic community. It is
wrong when it tends otherwise.”
Father of modern environmental
ethics
Father of Ecocentrism
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Aldo Leopold (1887-1948)
came to see that healthy
ecological systems
depend on the protection
of all their interacting
parts
In The Land Ethic, he
stressed that humans
should view themselves
and the land as members
of the same community
Leopold’s ecosystem-centered
ethics
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Leopold spoke of the land as an organism, as
alive.
"the complexity of the land organism" is the
outstanding 20th century discovery."
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The Land Ethic: "changes the role of Homo
Sapiens from conqueror of the landcommunity to plain member and citizen of it.
It implies respect for his fellow-members,
and also respect for the [land-] community
as such."
Ecocentrism
Expansion of biocentrism by including
abiotic components of the environment. It
cares less about individual life forms but
emphasizes interaction between them and
fosters a system approach
2 Radical Approaches
1) Deep Ecology
 extends ecocentrism
to egalitarianism
among all species
 May describe humans
as the pathogens or
plagues of the earth
 Does not embrace
human stewardship
2 Radical Approaches
2) Ecofeminism
 “patriarchy” (male
dominance in society)
is the primary form of
social as well as
environmental
oppression
 Assaults on
“mother nature” will
continue in a society
of male dominion
Deep Ecology
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Ecocentrism extended
All life systems are sacred and valuable -apart from their usefulness to human beings
All life evolved in the same way and thus, all
are kin, with kinship obligations
All species should be allowed to flourish and
fulfill their evolutionary destinies
All living things have equal value and we are
truly inseparable from our environment
Religion and
Anthropocentrism
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Genesis (1:28): God commands humans to "fill
the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over
the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air
and over every living thing...”
After the great flood God says to Noah: the
animals will dread and fear you, and I will give
you dominion over "everything that creeps on the
ground, and over all the fish of the sea.“
Traditional evangelical vs. current evangelical
trends concerning interpretation of scriptures
Religion and Ecocentrism
“in wisdom you made them all the earth is full of
your creatures.
“We are on Body in Christ”
1Corinthians 12:12-13, 27
Examples of
Ethical Environmental Issues
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Should we allow scientific research to be
performed on animals?
Should we restore the ecosystems which
were destroyed by hazardous wastes?
Should humans have more rights in this
biosphere than other species?
Should we protect endangered species?
Should we restore the lands we
destroyed?
Local: Disputes Over Building
Coal-Fired Power Plants
How can these
ethical
philosophies be
used to weigh
the solutions to
environmental
issues?
Give These Considerations To
Your Development in
Environmental Ethics
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Anthropocentrism (and reformist
approaches) destroy nature
A transformation of consciousness is
needed, replacing anthropocentrism
with a broader sense of the self
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identity should be grounded in nature
When we understand that we are part
of nature, eco-defense, as selfdefense, will follow
Please Reflect on these Questions
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What role do humans play on Earth?
What obligation do we have to the human
species? To other species? Are humans
more important?
What obligation do we have to future
generations?
How serious are the environmental
problems we face?
Reflect on this statement: “With the
recognition of value beyond human culture,
our relations with nature become moral.”