Environmental Ethics power point presentation

can be use in ethics

1. Environmental Ethics

2. Environmental ethics is the discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings to, and also the value and moral status of, the environment and its non-human contents. It explores questions about how we should value nature, the rights of non-human entities, and our responsibilities toward the environment, emphasizing our responsibility towards nature and its protection. It addresses ethical questions related to conservation, resource management, and the impact of human actions on ecological systems.

3. Importance of Environmental Ethics Environmental ethics is crucial for guiding policies and individual behaviors towards sustainability. It fosters a sense of responsibility, advocating for the protection of ecosystems and the rights of future generations, while addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change.

4. Development of Environmental Ethics

5. Development Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1963) detailing how pesticides such as DDT, aldrin and dieldrin concentrated through the food web. Lynn White (1967) rgued that the main strands of Judeo-Christian thinking had encouraged the overexploitation of nature by maintaining the superiority of humans over all other forms of life on earth, and by depicting all of nature as created for the use of humans. Paul and Anne Ehrlich The Population Bomb the growth of human population threatened the viability of planetary life-support systems. 

6. Ethical Frameworks

7. Anthropocentrism Anthropocentrism posits that humans are the central and most significant entities in the universe. This framework emphasizes human welfare and interests, often placing economic growth and development above environmental considerations, which can lead to detrimental impacts on ecological systems. Human Interests First Instrumental Value of Nature Moral Justification

8. Biocentrism Biocentrism argues that all living beings have inherent value, emphasizing the rights and interests of all biological entities. This perspective advocates for the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, often leading to conservation efforts that prioritize the well-being of wildlife and their habitats. Intrinsic Value of Life Interconnectedness Nature’s rights – nature itself has rights

9. Ecocentrism Ecocentrism expands on biocentrism by asserting that ecosystems as a whole hold intrinsic value. This framework prioritizes ecological harmony and holistic approaches to environmental management, advocating for sustainable practices that respect the interconnectedness of all life forms. Holistic view – entire ecosystem Interconnectedness Environmental Justice – advocates protection of vulnerable ecosystems and communities

10. Deep Ecology “Deep ecology” was born in Scandinavia, the result of discussions between Næss and his colleagues Sigmund Kvaløy and Nils Faarlun All three shared a passion for the great mountains. On a visit to the Himalayas, they became impressed with aspects of “Sherpa culture” particularly when they found that their Sherpa guides regarded certain mountains as sacred and accordingly would not venture onto them. Subsequently, Næss formulated a position which extended the reverence the three Norwegians and the Sherpas felt for mountains to other natural things in general. The “shallow ecology movement”, as Næss (1973) calls it, is the “fight against pollution and resource depletion”, the central objective of which is “the health and affluence of people in the developed countries.” The “deep ecology movement”, in contrast, endorses “ biospheric egalitarianism”, the view that all living things are alike in having value in their own right, independent of their usefulness to others. The deep ecologist respects this intrinsic value, taking care, for example, when walking on the mountainside not to cause unnecessary damage to the plants. the position also came to focus on the possibility of the  identification  of the human ego with nature. The idea is, briefly, that by identifying with nature I can enlarge the boundaries of the self beyond my skin.

11. 8 principles/statements basic to deep ecology The well-being and flourishing of human and non-human life on Earth have value in themselves (synonyms: intrinsic value, inherent worth). These values are independent of the usefulness of the non-human world for human purposes. Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves. Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs. The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible with a substantially smaller population. The flourishing of non-human life requiresa smaller human population. Present human interference with the non-human world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening. Policies must therefore be changed. These policies affect basic economic, technological and ideological structures. The resulting state of affairs will be deeply different from the present. The ideological change will be mainly that of appreciating life quality (dwelling in situations of inherent value) rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standard of living. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between bigness and greatness. Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to try to implement the necessary changes ( Naess , 1986).

12. Land Ethics Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac (1949) That land is a community is the basic concept of ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics. (Leopold 1949: vii–ix) 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. (Leopold 1949: 224–5) Leopold himself provided no systematic ethical theory or framework to support these ethical ideas concerning the environment. His views therefore presented a challenge and opportunity for moral theorists: could some ethical theory be devised to justify the injunction to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biosphere? Leopold’s idea that the “land” as a whole is an object of our moral concern also stimulated writers to argue for certain moral obligations toward ecological wholes, such as species, communities, and ecosystems, not just their individual constituents. Land Ethics emphasizes the moral responsibility individuals have toward the land and natural resources. This framework encourages stewardship and sustainable practices, advocating for a community-oriented approach to environmental issues and a recognition of the ethical significance of land use.

13. Key Discussions in Environmental Ethics

14. Intrinsic vs. Instrumental Value : This debate centers around whether nature has value in and of itself (intrinsic value) or only for its usefulness to humans (instrumental value). instrumental value: the value of things as  means  to further some other ends, Intrinsic value: the value of things as  ends in themselves  regardless of whether they are also useful as means to other ends.  Because the intrinsically valuable is that which is good as an end in itself, it is commonly agreed that something’s possession of intrinsic value generates a prima facie direct moral duty on the part of moral agents to protect it or at least refrain from damaging it

15. Anthropocentrism Anthropocentrism prioritizes human interests (human-centered), while ecocentrism advocates for the intrinsic worth of all living beings and ecosystems. anthropocentric  or human-centered: either they assign intrinsic value to human beings alone or they assign a significantly greater amount of intrinsic value to human beings than to any non-human things such that the protection or promotion of human interests or well-being at the expense of non-human things turns out to be nearly always justified Aristotle: nature has made all things specifically for the sake of man It is difficult for anthropocentric positions to articulate what is wrong with the cruel treatment of non-human animals, except to the extent that such treatment may lead to bad consequences for human beings.  Immanuel Kant (“Duties to Animals and Spirits”, in  Lectures on Ethics ), for instance, suggests that cruelty towards a dog might encourage a person to develop a character which would be desensitized to cruelty towards humans.

16. Anthropocentrism When environmental ethics emerged as a new sub-discipline of philosophy in the early 1970s, it did so by posing a challenge to traditional anthropocentrism. In the first place, it questioned the assumed moral superiority of human beings to members of other species on earth. In the second place, it investigated the possibility of rational arguments for assigning intrinsic value to the natural environment and its non-human contents. 

17. Anthropocentrism enlightened  anthropocentrism (or, perhaps more appropriately called,  prudential  anthropocentrism). Briefly, this is the view that all the moral duties we have towards the environment are derived from our direct duties to its human inhabitants. The practical purpose of environmental ethics, they maintain, is to provide moral grounds for social policies aimed at protecting the earth’s environment and remedying environmental degradation. Enlightened anthropocentrism, they argue, is sufficient for that practical purpose, and perhaps even more effective in delivering pragmatic outcomes, in terms of policy-making, than non-anthropocentric theories given the theoretical burden on the latter to provide sound arguments for its more radical view that the non-human environment has intrinsic value 

18. Conservation vs. Preservation Conservation focuses on sustainable use and management of natural resources, ensuring they are available for future generations. In contrast, preservation seeks to protect nature from human interference, emphasizing the intrinsic value of ecosystems.

19. Climate Change and Ethics Climate change refers to long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system, primarily driven by human activities.Climate change poses a moral challenge, primarily affecting vulnerable populations. Discussions involve the ethical obligations of wealthier nations to assist developing countries and mitigate environmental degradation through equitable policies. Some Causes: Greenhouse Gas Emission (burning of fossil fuels), Deforestation (reduction of natural carbon sink; increased CO2), Agricultural Practices (e.g. livestock production, rice cultivation, use of fertilizers release methane and nitrous oxide Some Effects: Rising temperature, melting ice and rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ecosystem disruption, human health risks

20. Environmental Justice Environmental justice advocates for equal protection and consideration of all communities, particularly those marginalized by environmental hazards. It aims to address the disproportionate impact of environmental issues on low-income and communities of color. Key principles: Equity (all have the right to healthy environment), Participation (meaningful voice in decision-making), Access to Information (transparency), Prevention of Harm (proactive measures) Issues addressed: Disproportionate Impact (re: environmental hazards), access to resources (to those essential to healthy environment), climate justice (impact on vulnerable populations), Indigenous Rights

21. Animal Rights and Welfare Debates on animal rights center on moral consideration for non-human animals, advocating against exploitation and suffering. Welfare approaches focus on ensuring humane treatment while allowing use in research and agriculture, highlighting the need for ethical standards. 5 freedoms central to animal welfare: from hunger and thirst, from discomfort, from pain, injury or disease, to express normal behavior, from fear and distress

22. Prominent Ethical Views on the use and treatment of animals Animal Rights animals have inherent value and some things should not be done to animals, even if those things are beneficial to humans or other animals. Some will seek to end the use of animals by humans for all purposes including meat, milk, eggs, transportation, entertainment, or even as pets. Two examples include the right to 1) not be used in scientific research because the animal cannot consent to participation and 2) to not be used for food production because the animal cannot consent to sharing of milk or eggs or to be slaughtered. Other animal rights advocates believe that animals have the right to be treated respectfully, but may still have roles in the human world. Utilitarianism utilitarians argue that it is justifiable for some activities that negatively affect the welfare of some animals to be done, if there is an overall increase in welfare for humans and/or animals. The utilitarian view weighs costs vs. benefits and examines how activities influence the welfare of all of those involved

23. Prominent Ethical Views on the use and treatment of animals Contractarianism Contractarianism asserts that people should act morally because it is in their own self-interest to do so; According to the contractarian view, people enter into contracts or agreements with one another because both parties derive benefits from participating in the agreement. Animals cannot make agreements or enter into contracts, but people should be concerned about how animals are treated because the animals may matter to other people who are part of the agreement or contract Respect for Nature The respect for nature view is concerned about the loss or extinction of species. According to this view, animals are valuable because they are part of a species or a group, and the loss or extinction of a species is a concern.

24. Global Responsibility Global responsibility emphasizes collective actions to address environmental issues transcending national borders. It recognizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and promotes cooperative strategies for sustainable development and resource management.

25. Sustainability : Environmental sustainability refers to the responsible management of natural resources to ensure that ecological processes are maintained, and the environment can support future generations. Environmental ethics often emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices that ensure the health of the planet for future generations. Key aspects: Resource Conservation, Ecosystem Protection, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Waste Management, Sustainable Development, Climate Change Mitigation, Education and Awareness, Policy and Regulation, Community Involvement