Topic 5 Differing Views as to Why Humans Have Responsibility for the Planet

Question 1

Why do people think that we have responsibility for the planet? (Delicately balanced etc)

Answer 1

• earth is delicately balanced
• if we interfere too much with it it will cause serious consequences for is now and for future generations
• future generations won’t forgive us

Question 2

Why do people think we have a responsibility for the planet, even though it is not affecting us directly?

Answer 2

• damage we are doing to our world affects those in other countries, particularly in developing countries
• need to be altruistic (charitable) and start to take responsibility for the planet to ensure the safety of others

Question 3

What did St Francis of Assisi believe?

Answer 3

• natural world deserves respect, care and reverence

- part of gift that God gave to humans

Question 4

How does the genesis story give Christians responsibility?

Answer 4

Genesis called to be stewards of the earth

We can still be superior to animals, as God is superior to humans, and like God cares for us, we can care for animals and the earth

Against god’s intentions to abuse it

Question 5

What is JE lovelock’s argument?

Answer 5

The Gaia hypothesis

• planet = self regulating, living thing + therefore it deserves respect -> living thing has rights of its own

Question 6

What do aborigines believe about responsibility for the environment?

Answer 6

• do not believe land can be owned
• land has rights, and exists for itself
• humans should be grateful that they can share it, and have a responsibility to do it no harm and care for it

Question 7

Why has the destruction we have caused give us responsibility?

Answer 7

Have little power rising sea levels etc. but can delay these disasters and look after the planet

Shouldn’t destroy the planet any more than we have done already

So that animals etc can live peacefully for as long as possible

Question 8

Why shouldn’t we have responsibility? (Earth should run its course)

Answer 8

• let nature run its course, as it has done previously, for millions of years
• whether we do or dont care for planet bears little significance in the grander scheme of things
• only natural for extreme changes of climate to occur (eg ice age) , that will cause mass extinctions, but planet will recover and flourish once more as it has always done
• shouldn’t burden ourselves with responsibility for the environment