Chapter 6: Ethics Flashcards
Define environmental ethics
new discipline that articulates the ethical values of the natural world
-challenges the materialistic values that dominate modern societies
ethical arguments are powerful
-foundations in value systems of most religious, philosophies, and societies
- we often make decisions not based on economic reasons
- child labor, slavery, cruelty to animals
Describe the intrinsic value ethical argument
the value that something has in itself
has value for its own sake
not required to be useful
Each species has a right to exist because it’s there.
What are the general ethical arguments for preserving species? (5)
They have intrinsic value
All species are interdependent
People are stewards of the earth
People have a duty to their neighbors
People have a responsibility to future generations
What is the argument for “all species are interdependent” ethics
if we value some parts of nature, we should protect all of it
survival unit is the whole system: spaceship earth
What is the argument for ethical conservation: people have a responsibility to act as steward of the earth?
based on religion
e.g., judeo-christian tradition
humans have been given the responsibility for protecting the natural world
hinduism recognizes kinship between humans and other beings
ahisma: kindness to all life
shared with jainism and buddhism
Describe the argument behind “people have a duty to their neighbors”.
damaging the natural world harms other people
duty to other humans requires us to live with sustainable limits
- ecological footprints
- -consumption of energy (wind, solar, coal)
- -consumption of other resources (nickle, metals, petrolium)
- -pollution
more equitable distribution of consumption and pollution
Describe the argument that people have a responsibility to future generations
damaging the natural world will harm future generations
THe risk is that we pass on a diminished world
- fewer resources
- more pollution
- little ability to know and explore the natural world
- -world is more than human artifacts
How is respect for human life and human diversity compatible with a respect for biological diversity?
can link economic development of disadvantaged people with protection of biodiversity
-working with indigenous people to protect natural communities rather than to overharvest wild species (ecotourism brings in the money)
Environmental justice: empowering poor and politically weak people to protect their own environments
do conservation biologists care more about other organisms than people? probably not.
-look for win-win situations
What is enlightened self-interest? How does it relate to biodiversity and human development? (6)
aka what are some human-oriented reasons we want to preserve the world for noneconomic reasons
Aesthetic and recreational enjoymenbt of wildlife and landscapes *enrich people’s lives
artistic expression and philosophical insight
scientific knowledge
historical understanding of our ancestors (walk their landscapes)
religious inspiration
protecting our life-support systems and our economy
Why would artistic expression and philosophical insight be valuable in biodiversity
nature provides inspiration for painters, sculptors, poets, writers, musicians, philosophers
loss of biodiversity would limit these experiences and diminish our intellectual resources (increasing exposure to things like art helps our brain develop)
Why would prserving nature lead to more scientific knowledge?
scientific knowledge is among humanity’s greatest achievements
facilitated by preservation of nature
- inspiration to become scientists
- source of questions
when ecosystems are damaged and species become extinct
- lose valuable sources of information
e. g., human evolution and characteristics
How does historical understanding relate to our enlightened self-interest in biodiversity
key to understanding our ancestors (walking their landscapes at their pace)
need to preserve natural areas to preserve our ability to imagine their lives
How does religious inspiration relate to our enlightened self-interest in biodiversity
many religions have traditions of wandering in the wilderness
judeo-christians, buddhists, native american traditions
solitude in wilderness can provide spiritual strength and the guidance of god/spirits
vs. babble of humans which sux
How does protecting our life-support systems and our economy relate to our enlightened self-interest in biodiversity
Degrading ecosystems is contrary to our real interests in the long run
biodiversity provides life-support systems and allows us to create wealth which we overexploit
what is deep ecology
philosphy emphasizing biodiversity protection through personal lifestyle changes and political change
affluenza: unsatisfying and unending pursuit of increasing material wealth
based on the right of all things to live and thrive on earth
-humans have a right to live and thrive but not at the expense of all other species
note the difference between the ecological and hte individual emphasis of species/individual survival
