environmental ethics china’s sustainable development guo ru ph.d. cese, tongji university...
TRANSCRIPT
Outline
Review
Introduction of ethics and environmental ethics
Review
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development
Social
Environmental
Economic
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Question
What are the negative aspect of sustainable development if any?
Ethics and Environmental Ethics
Learning objectives Describe the meaning of ethics Describe the meaning of
environmental ethics Explain the differences between
ethics and environmental ethics Explain the differences between
ecocentric worldview and anthropocentric worldview
Why to learn
We are dealing with no small thing, but with how we ought to live.
——Socrates
How should we live?
Why to learn
Environmental crisis and limited solutions
Help you to be aware of your thinking patterns
Help you to make environmental decisions
Ethics
A major branch of philosophy that includes a set of principles of right conduct.
Adjust the relationship within human beings Father & son Husband & wife Seller & consumer
Can you give an example of ethical relationship?
Enrionmental Ethics
Assumes that human behaviour toward the natural world can be and is governed by moral norms. ---Joseph R. Desjardins (Environmental Ethicists)
Environmental ethics is concerned with the moral relations that hold between humans and the natural world. The ethical principles governing those relations determine our duties, obligations, and responsibilities with the Earth’s natural environment .... ---Paul W. Taylor (Environmental ethicist)
Can you give an example of the relationship between human and natural world?
Key Points of theories Moral Agents Moral Standing Criteria for Moral Standing
The differences of theories mainly derive from moral standing and moral standing
criteria.
Moral Duties：That which is owed by moral agents to those with moral standing.Example: It is wrong to kill our children because we have a moral duty toward them
Main Focuses of Environmental Ethics Studies
The value and right of nature different theories give different answers
(Anthropocentrism, Animal Liberation/Right, Biocentrism, Ecocentrism)
Human morals and norms based on answers above
Environmental ethics issues in practical life
Differences between Traditional Ethics and Environmental Ethics
Traditional Ethics Environmental Ethics
Back-ground
Racial liberation, women liberation, etc.
Environmental crisis & movement
Range of moral standing
Within human being Out of human being, within Species, ecological system
Ideology Anthropocentrism Nonanthropocentrism
Nature’ s value
Instrumental value Intrinsic value
Universe
Planet
Ecosystem
Rock
Life
Plant
Animal
Human
Race
Country
Region
Tribe
Family
Ego
Future
Now
Past
Before ethics
The Origin and Development of Environmental Ethics
Ecocentric and Anthropocentric worldview
In the field of environmental ethics, two contrasting worldviews describe the extremes on a continuum (moral line). Ecocentric or “nature-centred”
Nature is more important. Anthropocentric or “human-centred”.
Human is more important. Ways of seeing the world.
Ecocentric Anthropocentric
This continuum doesn’t exist in reality (it’s a mental idea only). People don’t function at either extreme. In fact, they may shift along this moral line depending upon the situation.
QuestionsThere is one person who agrees to protect a wildlife preserve but meanwhile would agree to exterminate rats in the community because they’re threatening people’s health.
What kind of worldview does this person have?
Case discussion
Style : Work in group(3-4 people)
Discussion: 3 minutes Your summary: 2 minutes
Case summary
Consider the motive behind behaviour
Communicate and understand other’s opinion
Quiz
1. When people strongly value nature and give it moral consideration, their worldview is closer to the ___________ worldview.
2. When people strongly value human goals at the expense of non-human nature, their worldview is closer to the _________________ worldview.
Question
What kinds of norms or criteria you might use when you make decisions? People is more important? Future
generation is more important? Animal or species is more important? Ecological balance is more important?......
Case Discussion
DDT case
Topic: Who is responsible for harm caused
by DDT? Style : Group Discussion Discussion : 5 minutes Presentation : 2 minutes Q&A: 1 minute
DDT
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, is a powerful insecticide that combats the vectors of human disease and crop pests.
DDT was first used in World War II to combat infectious disease in humans, but its main use was as a pesticide. Paul Hermann Müller who discovered insecticidal properties of DDT was awarded Nobel Prize in1948.
Problems with DDT arose when it was discovered that the compound is stable and fat soluble, which means that it accumulates in animal fat tissue and becomes more and more concentrated in the offspring of infected species. Thus, It can greatly disturb ecological balance.
The Effect of DDT on Ecosystems
E.g., DDT in Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe, Zambia)
Questions Who is responsible for harm
caused by DDT? Why? Governor? Scientist? Chemical company? Farmer? consumer who ask for too much? Others?
How should we do?
References Jardins, Des, Environmental Ethics
(Fourth edition), Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2002 [Jardins,Des,
Rachel Carson, Silent Spring,1962 Aldo Leopold, A Sand County
Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections), Ballantine Books; Reissue edition, 1986
Paul W. Taylor, Respect for Nature, Princeton University Press,1986
References
Light, Andrew and Rolston, Holmes (Editors), Environmental Ethics: An Anthology, Blackwell Publishers, 2002
Newton, Lisa H.;Dillingham, Catherine K.; and Choly, Joanne H.; Watersheds: Ten Cases in Environmental Ethics (Fourth Edition), Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2002
Thank you!