1. Muslima P. Liwlaug MIB 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS 2. Environmental Ethics Ethics = the study of good and bad, right and wrong Ethical standards = criteria that help differentiate right from wrong Environmental ethics = the study of ethical questions regarding human interactions with the environment 3. Questions There are many ethical decisions that human beings make with respect to the environment: Should we continue to clear cut forests for the sake of human consumption? Why should we continue to propagate our species, and life itself? Should we continue to make gasoline powered vehicles? What environmental obligations do we need to keep for future generations? Is it right for humans to knowingly cause the extinction of a species for the convenience of humanity? How should we best use and conserve the space environment to secure and expand life? 4. Environmental Ethics part of environmental philosophy which considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics from solely including humans to including the non-human world it exerts influence on a large range of disciplines including environmental law, environmental sociology, ecotheology, ecological economics, ecology and environmental geography 5. Early Environmental Ethics The roots of environmental ethics are ancient. The modern urge for environmental protection grew with problems spawned by the industrial revolution. 6. Worldviews on Ethics morality is one of those issues which every worldview addresses, but which has no empirical basis for its answers every worldview has an approach to figuring out what should be considered right and wrong, but the basis for understanding it does not come from any kind of empirically provable foundation (based on the assumptions of the worldview itself) 7. Environmental worldviews are how people think the world works, where they fit, and ethics 8. What are worldviews it refers to our personal feelings about issues regarding the environment this includes our perspective on how the earth and its resources should be used it is heavily influenced by the fundamental vision of reality we hold, the collection of values, perceptions and practices that organizes our lives Environmental worldviews can be human-centered earth-centered or some combination of both 9. Basic beliefs of Human-Centered Worldview We are the planets most important species and also in charge of the rest of nature The earth has an unlimited supply of resources even if there are shortages, we can find substitutes We can solve environmental problems with our technology Our success on earth depends upon how well we can understand, control and manage earths life- supporting systems The potential for economic growth is limitless and more economic growth is always good 10. Limits of Human-Centered Views We do not have enough knowledge about the earth to become its managers We are not aware of the total number of species on earth much less the roles the species play in maintaining ecosystems Free-market system wont save the earth because profit maximization takes precedence over loses of earths capital Human-centered views focus on short-term economic benefits regardless of environmental consequences Spaceship view wont because human constructs of the earth are often over simplified 11. Life and Earth-centered Environmental Views These viewpoints see an intrinsic value in all forms of life, irrespective of their potential or actual uses for humans Nature exists not only for humans but for all the earths species 12. Factors that influence our worldviews Beliefs and practices of our family and the society Personal experiences Education Nature must be experienced directly to complete environmental education. 13. Dominant Worldviews Expansionist Worldview Ecological Worldview Sustainable Development 14. Expansionist Worldview expansionism consists of expansionist policies of governments and states some have linked the term to promoting economic growth (in contrast to no growth / sustainable policies), more commonly expansionism refers to the doctrine of a nation's expanding its territorial base or economic influence usually, though not necessarily, by means of military aggression. 15. Ecological Worldview an all-embracing, coherent worldview that promotes more harmonious and sustainable practices capable of satisfying real biological, social, ecological, and spiritual needs 16. Sustainable Development development can be achieved without compromising the environment incorporates parts of the two worldviews 17. Ethical Perspective 1. Anthropocentric 2. Stewardship 3. Biocentric 4. Animal Rights 5. Ecocentric 6. Ecofeminism 18. Anthropocentric Humans are placed in domination of nature and have the right to use resources and abuse nature as we choose. 19. Stewardship Humans have the responsibility to manage and care for nature. Humans and non-human forces must act together in order to sustain life. Humans are part of nature rather than masters. 20. Biocentrism All living organisms have intrinsic values and rights regardless whether they are useful or not. 21. Animal Rights Each individual organism is of value not the group 22. Ecocentric Based on the view that oneself should do everything what supports ones own interest and profit The whole is more important than its individual parts Only oneself has an intrinsic value Other human and nature have instrumental value Any action is based on ones personal wealth 23. Ecofeminism A pluralistic, nonhierarchical relationship philosophy that suggest that humans could reconceive themselves to nature in a non-dominating way. 24. Where do you stand? 25. Environmental Justice Civil rights with environmental protection to demand a safe, healthy, life-giving environment for everyone. 26. Issues of Environmental Justice Environmental racism Toxic Colonialism 27. Environmental Racism is placement of low-income or minority communities in proximity of environmentally hazardous or degraded environments, such as toxic waste, pollution and urban decay are competing views as to an exact definition, the interplay between environmental issues and social indicators are key to its understanding 28. Toxic Colonialism refers to the use of underdeveloped states as inexpensive alternatives for the export or disposal of hazardous waste pollution by developed states 29. People have a right to what they produce themselves, but man has another right, declared by the fact of his existencethe right to use of so much of the free gifts of nature as may be necessary to supply all the wants of that existence, and which he may use with interference with the equal rights of anyone else; and to this he has title against all the world. Henry George, Progress and Poverty, 1874 30. The End.