Applied Ethics Section 5 Environmental Ethics 1 Environmental

Environmental Ethics n n Study of the ethics of human interactions with the natural

History n n Environmental ethics emerged as an academic subject in a cluster of

Ecocentrism n n n Normative stance. Holds that species & ecosystems have an independent

Anthropocentrism n n Human judgements inevitably reflect human interests alone. But this is a

Biocentrism n n n Holds, cogently, that all living creatures have a good of

Normative Theory & Biocentrism n Among normative theories, consequentialist versions of biocentrism are better

To Consider n What does the stance of biocentrism involve? n What are the

Environmental Problems Causes include: n n Poverty High technology Note: theory that Judaism &

Important Environmental Policies n Sustainable development (strong rather than weak sustainability). n Biodiversity preservation.

Climate Change Mitigation n n A responsibility of individuals, households, corporations & governments. A

Exercise n Consider the responsibilities of each of the following with regard to the

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Applied Ethics Section 5 Environmental Ethics 1

Environmental Ethics n n Study of the ethics of human interactions with the natural world & natural systems. Branch of ethics concerned with practical issues & matters of principle arising from such transactions. 2

History n n Environmental ethics emerged as an academic subject in a cluster of writings of the early 1970 s. Most of these writings advocated moving from anthropocentrism (an approach which accords moral standing to human interests alone) to a nonanthropocentric approach (which recognizes the moral standing of non-human beings). 3

Ecocentrism n n n Normative stance. Holds that species & ecosystems have an independent good, & as such have moral standing. Their attaining this good has intrinsic value. 4

Anthropocentrism n n Human judgements inevitably reflect human interests alone. But this is a fallacy; humans are free to heed other interests, & frequently do so. 5

Biocentrism n n n Holds, cogently, that all living creatures have a good of their own, & have moral standing accordingly. Their flourishing or attaining their good is intrinsically valuable. Ecosystems are valuable because of the creatures that depend on them. 6

Normative Theory & Biocentrism n Among normative theories, consequentialist versions of biocentrism are better grounded than deontological or virtue-ethics ones, & all are more coherent than contractarian ones. 7

To Consider n What does the stance of biocentrism involve? n What are the merits of this stance? n Further consider what differentiates biocentrism from anthropocentrism & from ecocentrism. 8

Environmental Problems Causes include: n n Poverty High technology Note: theory that Judaism & Christianity underlie the problems through their alleged anthropocentrism & condonement of environmental heedlessness (deriving from Lynn White) is inaccurate. 9

Important Environmental Policies n Sustainable development (strong rather than weak sustainability). n Biodiversity preservation. n Climate change adaptation & mitigation. 10

Climate Change Mitigation n n A responsibility of individuals, households, corporations & governments. A global agreement would best be based on Contraction & Convergence, as proposed by Aubrey Meyer. 11

Exercise n Consider the responsibilities of each of the following with regard to the environment: n Individuals n Households n Corporations n Governments. 12