Page 376 #6 Which is more important: civilization and progress or the natural environment? Why?

Civilization and progress is more important than the natural environment because humans constitute the highest evolutionary and religious order. Human civilization should take precedence over nature, neither nature nor any of its inhabitants except for human beings are capable o reasoning, analyzing, organizing, using language, or creating. Therefore nature must be destroyed in place to allow human civilization to expand and progress. (Thiroux & Krasemann, 2012, p. 357)

Page 371 #5 Case Extinction of Small Fish :

As stated in the case “the fish is not used for food or sport; in fact, no one knows what purpose it serves by being in the river.” Although the extinction of the small fish may not have significant impact on the environment or the living population within human beings should not end their life cycle. Assigned a significantly greater amount of intrinsic value to human beings than to any other living organism, we should not destroy the lifecycle of helpless organisms such as the small fish. The renowned twentieth-century architect Frank Lloyd Wright set a prime example. When Wright was designing houses or other buildings he would do his best to fit it into its natural environment as much as possible, aiming for example to maintain the forest surrounding. (Thiroux & Krasemann, 2012, p. 359) A logical solution would be moving these fish to a safer environment would be more adequate than blocking the building of the damn, as well as creating a win-win situation. Therefore if nature must be destroyed in order to allow human civilization to expand and progress then it simply must be. (Thiroux & Krasemann, 2012, p. 432)

Works CitedThiroux, J. P., & Krasemann, K. W. (2012). Ethics Theory and Practice (11 ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc.