Introduction to Environmental Engineering Dr. Glass Environmental Ethics

Ethics are discussed by Philosophers, Lawyers, Conservationists etc. Ethics are discussed by Philosophers, Lawyers, Conservationists etc. Sustainable Development - growth that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs Sustainable Development - growth that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Environmental Ethics Can Economic Growth and Environmental Protection occur simultaneously? Can Economic Growth and Environmental Protection occur simultaneously? A Business is in business to make a profit, not usually to protect the environment. Environmental Regulations force them to care! A Business is in business to make a profit, not usually to protect the environment. Environmental Regulations force them to care! Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are required by legislature Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are required by legislature Prior to design stage Prior to design stage Impact on water quality, wetlands, and endangered species Impact on water quality, wetlands, and endangered species Long term ecological damage Long term ecological damage

Environmental Ethics An ethic – An ethic – Common misconception: an ethical person is not a good person or bad person Common misconception: an ethical person is not a good person or bad person Ethics – Ethics – provide a systematic framework for making decisions where values conflict provide a systematic framework for making decisions where values conflict dependent upon the individuals moral value, based on personal ethical system dependent upon the individuals moral value, based on personal ethical system For example: system of ethics to maximize pleasure (hedonist) For example: system of ethics to maximize pleasure (hedonist)

Environmental Ethics Many systems of ethics exist, but the key is that a system must be a defensible one Many systems of ethics exist, but the key is that a system must be a defensible one If not, a rational person would abandon and find a better system If not, a rational person would abandon and find a better system Three different systems are presented here Three different systems are presented here

Environmental Ethics Consequentialist ethical theory Consequentialist ethical theory (early 1800s) a.k.a. Utilitarianism (early 1800s) a.k.a. Utilitarianism maximize pleasure/minimize pain maximize pleasure/minimize pain Benefit/Cost Analysis is Utilitarian since money equals happiness (based on hedonism) Benefit/Cost Analysis is Utilitarian since money equals happiness (based on hedonism) Dont believe in rules, the consequences must be weighed against gains Dont believe in rules, the consequences must be weighed against gains

Environmental Ethics Deontological theory Deontological theory acts must be judged as good or bad, and you do good for the sake of doing good, for the good itself, regardless of the consequence (Ten Commandments, Just obey) acts must be judged as good or bad, and you do good for the sake of doing good, for the good itself, regardless of the consequence (Ten Commandments, Just obey)

Environmental Ethics Categorical imperative Categorical imperative value-laden rules based on the hope that all people would follow the rule value-laden rules based on the hope that all people would follow the rule Key Point: Universalizability – if an act is acceptable for one it is acceptable for all Key Point: Universalizability – if an act is acceptable for one it is acceptable for all

Environmental Ethics The three are in conflict: The three are in conflict: Consequentialists believe in the suffering of a few for the benefit of many Consequentialists believe in the suffering of a few for the benefit of many i.e. the sacrifice of an innocent life to prevent the deaths of others i.e. the sacrifice of an innocent life to prevent the deaths of others While Categorical imperative theorists say that if life is valued all life has to be. While Categorical imperative theorists say that if life is valued all life has to be. Common Question: The little white lie?Do I look good? Common Question: The little white lie?Do I look good? Utilitarian – hurts feelings to tell the truth, so why bother Utilitarian – hurts feelings to tell the truth, so why bother

Environmental Ethics Common Question: The little white lie? Common Question: The little white lie? Utilitarian – hurts feelings to tell the truth, so why bother Utilitarian – hurts feelings to tell the truth, so why bother Deontologists – hurting feelings in the short term is better, the trust that is built will be stronger Deontologists – hurting feelings in the short term is better, the trust that is built will be stronger Categorical Imperative theorists – also tell the truth because you wouldnt want to walk around looking ugly as well, everyone would dress bad Categorical Imperative theorists – also tell the truth because you wouldnt want to walk around looking ugly as well, everyone would dress bad All based on human interaction, but there are other beings on earth All based on human interaction, but there are other beings on earth

Environmental Ethics Environmental Ethic Environmental Ethic concerns itself with the attitude of people towards other living things and towards the natural environment concerns itself with the attitude of people towards other living things and towards the natural environment Decisions not only for ourselves, but the rest of the world Decisions not only for ourselves, but the rest of the world Plants, animals, rocks, mountains, do any of them matter to us? Plants, animals, rocks, mountains, do any of them matter to us?

Environmental Ethics Engineers are not traditionally trained to think in terms of ethics Engineers are not traditionally trained to think in terms of ethics Traditionally Engineers dont deal with policy but perform duties to society Traditionally Engineers dont deal with policy but perform duties to society Design, Build, and Economic Feasibility of Public and Private Projects Design, Build, and Economic Feasibility of Public and Private Projects Anthropocentric Anthropocentric nature is here for us to command nature is here for us to command

Environmental Ethics Quote from Aristotle, Plants exist to give food to animals, and animals to give food to men. Since nature makes nothing purposeless or in vain, all animals must have been made by nature for the sake of men. Quote from Aristotle, Plants exist to give food to animals, and animals to give food to men. Since nature makes nothing purposeless or in vain, all animals must have been made by nature for the sake of men. Instrumental value – measured in dollars or how that nature supports us Instrumental value – measured in dollars or how that nature supports us

Environmental Ethics Instrumental Values flaws Instrumental Values flaws Would not prevent the torture of animals (quick kill) Would not prevent the torture of animals (quick kill) Led to the Rape of Nature in the U.S. (1800s) Led to the Rape of Nature in the U.S. (1800s) Rapid Deforestation – Destruction of Natural Habitats Rapid Deforestation – Destruction of Natural Habitats

Environmental Ethics Extensionist Theory Extensionist Theory extending the moral world to other animals and nature extending the moral world to other animals and nature Do non-human creatures have rights? Do non-human creatures have rights? No. In order to have rights there must be reciprocity. No. In order to have rights there must be reciprocity. Reciprocity – have to have the ability to act morally Reciprocity – have to have the ability to act morally However, there are human beings that can not reciprocate, babies, comatose, the senile, why not the other sentient beings? However, there are human beings that can not reciprocate, babies, comatose, the senile, why not the other sentient beings?

Environmental Ethics Problem: Where would it stop? Problem: Where would it stop? Sentience and the ability to feel pain. Sentience and the ability to feel pain. Biocentric – view that all life has value Biocentric – view that all life has value Not really possible. Human being valued at the same level of a Roach? Not really possible. Human being valued at the same level of a Roach? True controversy in Philosophy, not just Engineering! True controversy in Philosophy, not just Engineering!

Environmental Ethics The Engineer has to have their belief system established clearly and on an individual level determine how much tampering with the Environment is acceptable. The Engineer has to have their belief system established clearly and on an individual level determine how much tampering with the Environment is acceptable. Long term effects vs. Short term economic gains For every action there will be consequences for someone or something.