Lecture 1.

Question 1

Define: Environment

Answer 1

1. The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
2. The Natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographic area, especially as affected by human activity

Question 2

Define: Environmental Assessment

Answer 2

A process that aims to identify potential environmental impacts of a project or an action

Question 3

What is the main purpose of EA?

Answer 3

To provide decision-makers with information on potential effects of projects or actions on the environment
To promote sustainable and environmentally sound development through the identification of appropriate measures

Question 4

What was Charles Sanders Peirce famous for?

Answer 4

Being the father of pragmatism. American philosopher, logician, mathematician, and scientist.

Question 5

What are the 4 principle ways of “knowing”

Answer 5

1. Tenacity- The way it has always been done
2. Authority- the pope says its so
3. Correspondance with a priori beliefs- innate
4. Verification- The scientific method

Question 6

What are Controversy and Argumentation?

Answer 6

Controversy is a genuine difference of opinions. Argumentation takes place under conditions of uncertainty. Arguers have a common goal to find the best possible decision under the circumstances. but risk being wrong and losing face

Question 7

What are intrinsic and extrinsic values?

Answer 7

Intrinsic: has a value in itself, irrespective of other things.
Extrinsic: has a value in the context of other things

Question 8

What is anthropocentric?

Answer 8

Humans are the centre of moral consideration and are more worthy than other species

Question 9

What is Biocentric?

Answer 9

All species have intrinsic value and humans are unique but no more valuable than other species

Question 10

What is Ecocentric?

Answer 10

Similar to biocentric, but stresses the importance of interdependant ecological functions, such as productivity and nutrient cycling

Question 11

What is the importance of distribution (equity)

Answer 11

how benefits and costs are shared. environmental value/production vs. human development needs

Question 12

What is uncertainty?

Answer 12

Conclusions arrived at inductively are uncertain, thier veracity is probabilistic. Incomplete knowledge of natural processes; natural variability in space and time…