Environmental EthicsEnvironmental Ethics

Environmental EthicsEnvironmental Ethics

Moral issues concerning the Moral issues concerning the environment.environment.

Moral perspective, beliefs, or attitudes Moral perspective, beliefs, or attitudes concerning those issues.concerning those issues.

IssuesIssues Moral AgentsMoral Agents

Those who have the freedom and rational Those who have the freedom and rational capacity to be responsible for choices.capacity to be responsible for choices.

Example: adult humans of sound mindExample: adult humans of sound mind

Moral Standing Moral Standing Your continued existence or welfare is Your continued existence or welfare is

valuable in itself (intrinsic value).valuable in itself (intrinsic value). Example: humans of all kindsExample: humans of all kinds

Moral DutiesMoral Duties That which is owed by moral agents to That which is owed by moral agents to

those with moral standing.those with moral standing.

Philosophical questionPhilosophical question

Does the environment have moral standing?Does the environment have moral standing?

What moral duty do we (moral agents) have What moral duty do we (moral agents) have toward those with moral standing with regard to toward those with moral standing with regard to environment?environment?

Criteria for Moral StandingCriteria for Moral Standing

Homo sapiensHomo sapiens Humans have a soul Humans have a soul Humans are moral Humans are moral

agents agents Humans are intelligent Humans are intelligent Humans have Humans have

personhoodpersonhood Humans have language.Humans have language.

Sentient beingsSentient beings Animals that feel pain.Animals that feel pain. Therefore extend moral Therefore extend moral

standing to animalsstanding to animals

Criteria for Moral StandingCriteria for Moral Standing

Being aliveBeing alive Therefore extend moral standing to Therefore extend moral standing to

animals and plants.animals and plants.

Being part of natureBeing part of nature Therefore extend moral standing to Therefore extend moral standing to

thethe earthearth ecosystemsecosystems rocksrocks riversrivers plants, animals plants, animals the entire natural worldthe entire natural world

Ethical PositionsEthical Positions

Human centered moralityHuman centered morality

Only Only humans humans have have intrinsic valueintrinsic value and moral standing.and moral standing.

The rest of the The rest of the natural worldnatural world has has instrumental valueinstrumental value (use to (use to humans).humans).

Human can best protect nature by Human can best protect nature by looking out for his needs.looking out for his needs.

Both humans and sentient Both humans and sentient animals have rights and/or animals have rights and/or interests that must be considered.interests that must be considered.

Ethical PositionsEthical Positions

Life-centered moralityLife-centered morality

Humans are not superior to other Humans are not superior to other life forms nor privileged, and must life forms nor privileged, and must respect the inherent worth of respect the inherent worth of every organism.every organism.

Humans should minimize harm Humans should minimize harm and interference with nature: eat and interference with nature: eat vegetarian since less land needs vegetarian since less land needs to be cultivated.to be cultivated.

Ethical PositionsEthical Positions

Ecosystem centered Ecosystem centered moralitymorality

Individuals must be Individuals must be concerned about the concerned about the whole community of whole community of life/nature.life/nature.

Humans should strive to Humans should strive to preserve ecological preserve ecological balance and stability.balance and stability.

Deep EcologyDeep Ecology

Humans are deeply Humans are deeply connected with nature. connected with nature.

If humans identify with If humans identify with nature, then taking care of nature, then taking care of the natural world will the natural world will become part of taking care become part of taking care of one's self.of one's self.

BioregionalismBioregionalism

Increases Increases environmental environmental awareness and caring awareness and caring

Decreases Decreases exploitation of the exploitation of the environment and environment and people.people.

Engineering and EnvironmentEngineering and Environment

Engineers design eco-friendly Engineers design eco-friendly tools, machines, sustainable tools, machines, sustainable products, process and projects.products, process and projects.

These are essential toThese are essential to Ensure protection of Ensure protection of

environmentenvironment Prevent degradation of Prevent degradation of

environmentenvironment Slow down the exploitation of Slow down the exploitation of

the natural resources.the natural resources.

Engineers as ExperimentersEngineers as Experimenters

Environmental impact assessment.Environmental impact assessment.

Establish standards.Establish standards.

Counter measuresCounter measures

Environmental awareness.Environmental awareness.

Thank YouThank You