Module 5: Human Person and the Environment Flashcards
It provides us with the essential elements in life — air, water, food, and shelter.
Environment
It plays an important role in shaping our cultural, social, and economic systems.
Environment
They have a profound impact on the environment.
Human
The decline of the natural environment.
Environmental deterioration
Environmental deterioration manifests in various forms including.
Water Pollution
Air Pollution
Soil Erosion
Deforestation
A philosophical field that investigates the moral relationship of humans to the environment, as well as the value and moral status of the environment and its non-human elements.
Environmental ethics
It provides a framework for guiding our interactions with the natural world. It encourages us to respect nature, act with caution, and prioritize sustainability.
Environmental ethics
Key principles of environmental ethics.
Precautionary principle
Polluter pay principle
Prevention principle
We should act with caution and avoid actions that could potentially cause environmental harm.
Precautionary principle
Those who cause pollution should bear the costs of environmental cleanup and restoration.
Polluter pays principle
We should prioritize preventing environmental harm rather than focusing solely on remediation.
Prevention principle
Three important things in preserving and protecting the environment
- Every man or woman has a moral duty to protect the environment. In this sense, moral responsibility refers to the felt duty to commit a good act and avoid a bad one
- Man/woman have a major responsibility to protect the environment. The destruction of one element of this ecosystem alters the interactions between various creatures, resulting in an imbalance in the ecosystem.
- Man/woman must adhere to the dictates of natural law and refrain from interfering recklessly with nature’s activity. As a result, man/woman must “fit” his/her technology with the environment.
The THREE philosophical views on the environment
Anthropocentrism
Biocentrism
Ecocentrism
- focuses on the significant role of humankind in the world and considers nature as the means by which humans are able to meet their needs and survive.
- believes that humans are the most important species on the planet and they are free to transform nature and use its resources
Anthropocentrism
- believes that humans are not the only significant species on the planet, and that all other organisms have inherent value and should be protected
- advocates ethical treatment of animals
Biocentrism
- places great value on ecosystems and biological communities
- believes that humankind is a part of a greater biological system or community and that we have a significant role as stewards or guardians of nature
- promotes the idea that order and balance in nature brings about stability and beauty.
Ecocentrism
Dimensions of Ecological Problem
Quick population growth
Natural resource depletion
Environmental pollution
Destruction of the Earth
there has been a rapid increase in population. This has increased from 500 million in 1650 to about 7 billion in 2021. Because of the earth’s finite resources, population growth is an issue that must be handled. The earth’s resources will be exhausted if the human population continues to rise. As a result, there will be hunger, poverty, and an increase in population.
Quick population growth
the expansion of this problem is attributable to human activities, notably commerce. Resources are limited, and once depleted, they are difficult, if not impossible, to replace.
Natural resource depletion
human waste and the industrial lifestyle are ruining our planet’s land, air, and water. The world is fast becoming unfit for decent human living.
Environmental pollution
our land is in a perilous state due to soil erosion, and it may no longer be suitable for agriculture, farming, or gardening.
Destruction of the Earth
Four philosophers with philosophical perspectives on shaping or reshaping our environmental ethics.
Pythagoras
Immanuel Kant
Herbert Marcuse
George Mead
- he believes that the universe is the living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony and beauty; for him, our relationship with the universe must include the love of other living things and the love of other living beings
Pythagoras
- expresses that beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality
- argues that the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties guide us toward a deeper religious understanding (cosmic harmony)
Immanuel Kant
- viewed that humanity had dominated nature and we can only change it, if we change our attitude and mind-set about our environment
Herbert Marcuse
- reminds us that although we have rights, we also have duties; we always emphasized our rights, while forgetting our duties
George Mead
Three theories on the environment
Deep ecology
Social ecology
Ecofeminism
the proponent of deep ecology
Arne Naess
- assumes that all living things possess equal and intrinsic value regardless of their usefulness to other beings.
- man/woman is part part of the living earth and with corresponding roles to protecting the planet
- the shift of approach from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism
Deep Ecology
proponent of Social Ecology
Murray Bookchin
- believes that ecological problems is linked to societal problems
- Societies that are hierarchical in nature and promotes class distinction and uses their authority to dominate natural resources and exploit the environment for profit and self-interest.
Social Ecology
- it assumes that male-centered view of nature is the root cause of ecological problems.
- in order to address environmental problems humanity has to remove the superior vs. Inferior mentality in human relations.
- believes that a society that tolerates the oppression of women is directly linked with its tendency to tolerate the abuse of the environment and the degradation of nature
Ecofeminism
“the wisdom concerning human affairs or the correct reason with regard to conduct”
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Prudence
frequently associated with the use of money.
frugality
Carefully considering the potential consequences of our actions before taking them. It means evaluating the long-term impacts of our choices, not just the immediate benefits.
Prudence in environmental decision making
Using resources wisely and avoiding waste. It entails adopting practices that minimize our environmental footprint and conserve natural resources for future needs.
Frugality in decision making
Examples of frugal practice
Conserving water
Reducing energy consumption
Minimizing waste
Advantages of adopting prudence and frugality towards the environment.
Improved air quality
Cleaner water
Preserved biodiversity
Sustainable development
8 Valdez principles
- Protection of the biosphere
- Sustainable use of natural resources
- Reduction and disposal of waste
- Wise use of energy
- Risk Reduction
- Safe products and services
- Damage compensation
- Disclosure
Minimize or eliminate the release of any pollutant.
Safeguard habitats in rivers, lakes, wetlands, coastal zones, and oceans.
Minimize contributions to the greenhouse effect, depletion of ozone layer, acid rain and smog.
Protection of the Biosphere
Make sustainable use of natural resources
Conserve non-renewable natural resources through efficient use and planning.
Protect wildlife habitat, open spaces, and wilderness while preserving biodiversity
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Minimize creation of hazardous waste.
Recycle materials.
Dispose of waste through safe methods
Reduction and Disposal of Waste
Use environmentally safe and sustainable energy source.
Invest in improved energy and conservation in our operation.
Minimize energy efficiency of products we produce and sell.
Wise Use of Energy
Minimize the environmental, health, and safety risks to our employees and in the communities where we operate.
Risk reduction
Buy products and services which have minimum adverse environment impact, and safe for consumption.
Inform people of the environmental impact of products and services.
Safe products and services
Take responsibility for any harm we cause to the environment while making every effort to fully restore the environment.
Compensate those who are adversely affected.
Damage compensation
Disclose to the public incidents relating to operations that cause environmental harm.
Disclosure
