exam Flashcards
Anthropocentrism
Humans are what create intrinsic value, Humans are the centre.
Sentientism
Viewed negatively, only recognizes sentient beings (self aware), neglects ecosystems, endangered animals
Biocentrism
Some criticism, ecosystems and species are not alive, therefore neither have moral standing. An individualistic approach (pertaining to individual organisms
Holism/Ecocentrism
typically the most favoured approach) places intrinsic value on all living organisms and their natural environment, regardless of their perceived usefulness or importance to human beings.
Intrinsic Value
The value that that thing has “in itself
Instrumental Value
Specific methods of behavior. Instrumental values are not an end goal, but rather provide the means by which an end goal is accomplished.
Problems
Utilitarianism
We should strive, with respect to each act we perform, to maximize the welfare among all those affected by the action
Deontology
States that an act that is not good morally can lead to something good, such as shooting the intruder (killing is wrong) to protect your family (protecting them is right)
Virtue Ethics and the Criticisms
MIND, CHARACTER AND HONESTY,
Criticism: Varying for different cultures (PRIDE IS A SIN?)
- Virtues can be displayed by different evil people
Aldo Leopold created:
What are the three criteria
Ecocentrism
3: Stability, Integrity and Beauty
Environmental Pragmatism
Environmental pragmatism is a new strategy in environmental thought: it argues that theoretical debates are hindering the ability of the environmental movement to forge agreement on basic policy imperatives.
Satisficing
Setting minimum aspirational levels for what we wish to obtain
What is Risk Assessment
Assessing the Risk= the possibility of suffering harm (death…etc.) from a hazard
Risk Management
Cost benefit analysis
Do the benefits outweigh the costs of regulation?
Risk benefit analysis
Do the environmental/health benefits outweigh the environmental/health risks?
Public preferences
what is the public tolerance for the risk
False Comfort
Group A is given lottery ticket numbers
Group B picks numbers
Each group can sell the ticket back, group B would charge more to sell back
Societal Concerns
It is estimated that the coal generated electricity costs about 10 000 lives per year (mining, transportation…)
80% of the American public think that coal burning is safer than nuclear power
Risk from nuclear power is overwhelmingly regarded as involuntary, uncontrollable…etc
Automobiles result in far more deaths
Precautionary Principle
Look before you leap, Where there is serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason
Opportunity Costs
→ The loss of potential gain from other alternatives.
→ Money spent on mitigation of a current risk is money not spent on health, education and welfare
Haida
The government of British Columbia failed moral obligations to consult the Haida on the topic of tree farming. In 2004 it was passed to be a legal obligation
Taku
In plans to reopen a mine and run a road through an area with a river in TRTFN’S territory, an environmental assessment was done. TRTFN brought a petition to the chamber and had the rule overturned.
Jones Nadjiwan Decision 1993
The crown recognized that the saugeen objibiwa had the right to comercially fish.
- -> Commercial fishing rights were more important than aboriginal rights
- -> The SON realized that the court based their decisions on empirical evidence. They sponsored a faculty position, and targeted things like fish habitat management.
Bruce Power Build Environmental Assessment
Joint Panel review, EIS released in 2008, NO adverse effects were determined.
What was missed during the Bruce Power Build Environmental Assessment?
No population level assessment, geographically and ecologically important location
Lake Whitefish
Cultural and commercial Importance, Valued ecosystem
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