Environmental Ethics China’s sustainable development Guo Ru Ph.D. CESE, Tongji University

Outline Review Ecocentrism

Review Describe the meaning of ethics Describe the meaning of environmental ethics Explain the differences between ethics and environmental ethics

Ethics vs Environmental Ethics Ethics : A major branch of philosophy that includes a set of principles of right conduct. Environmental ethics : is concerned with the moral relations that hold between humans and the natural world.

Differences between Traditional Ethics and Environmental Ethics Traditional EthicsEnvironmental Ethics Back- ground Racial liberation, women liberation, etc. Environmental crisis & movement Range of moral standing Within human beingOut of human being, within Species, ecological system IdeologyAnthropocentrismNonanthropocentrism Nature ’ s value Instrumental valueIntrinsic value

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.

The ways of seeing the world greatly influence our decision making and related actions!

Case Discussion DDT case Topic: Who is responsible for harm caused by DDT? How should we do? Requirement: each group (3-4 people) select one stakeholder and give your answer on behalf of this stakeholder(5 minutes) Summary: 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 M ü ller 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?

Case summary The root of environmental crisis lies in the behavior of human being. The ideology and related actions can greatly influence the whole world.

Ecocentrism

What is Ecocentrism? Ecocentrism : a philosophy that recognizes that the ecosphere, rather than any individual organism, is the source and support of all life and as such advises a holistic and ecological approach to government, industry, and individual.

Aldo Leopold ( ) A forester, conservationist, ecologist The first one to call for a rethinking of ethics in light of ecology. A Sand County Almanac (1949) a watershed event in the history of environmental thought

Leopold ’ s early research In his early research, Leopold was to game management. Game Management (1933) :game species such as deer were “ resources ” or “ crops ”. His early opinion regarding predators : varmints

The change to ecocentric view Leopold found the problems with the conservationist approach to nature after field experiences and research. A mere object cannot be manipulated for human ends without repercussions. The overpopulation of deer herds after killing predators An ecological conscience that reorganizes an intrinsic worth in natural systems was developed and presented by Leopold then.

Thinking like a mountain Our belief that the earth is dead matter arises in part from our inability to recognize the “ enormously slow, intricate, and interrelated functions ” of its life process. Our shortsightedness was more likely to harm than to help the balance of nature.

Land ethics The story of Odysseus He hanged a dozen of his women slaves for misbehavior because slaves were understood as property at his time. Since that time ethics has evolved to a point where moral standing is extended to all human beings. And the land ethics is Leopold ’ s call to continue this extension of ethics to include land, plants and animals.

Land ethics Man had an obligation to the land rather than a dominion over it Ethics holism: community (land) outweighs individual Land as organism

Leopold ’ s moral rule A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise. ”

Leopold ’ s version of holism Ethical holism: Right and wrong are a function of the well-being of the community, not of its constituent members. A practical reason: failure of more individualistic thinking. To think only in terms of individual plants and animals often leads to risky land management policies.

Criticisms on the Land Ethics Ethics holism: Environmental fascism When deer overpopulation threatens the stability of the herd or the integrity of an entire ecosystems within which the deer live, we might have an obligation to selectively kill individual deer. What happens if humans harm the integrity of an ecosystem?

Deep Ecology

Description Deep ecology refers primarily to the approach to environmental issues developed by Naess,Bill Devall,and George Sessions. Deep ecology indicts what is calls the dominant worldview as being responsible for environmental destruction.

Shallow Ecology and Deep Ecology(1973) Shallow Ecology: fight against pollution and resource depletion An anthropocentric approach protecting the health and affluence of the people. Focus on the immediate effects of environmental crisis Deep Ecology: a relational, total-field perspective, rejecting the anthropocentric approach Focus on deep philosophical causes What’s the difference?

Question What’s the mainstream perspective now ？ Shallow or deep ？

A cure for the environmental crisis can come only with a radical change in our philosophical outlook. This change involves both personal and cultural transformations and would affect basic economic and ideological structures.

How to step outside our personal and cultural worldview or ideology and alternate it to something radically different? Deep ecologists use a variety of strategies. Poetry, Buddhism, spiritualism, political activism via civil disobedience and ecosabotage.

Arne Naess (1912-) A Norwegian philosopher Founder of Deep Ecology Direct action 1970, Arne Naess chained himself to rocks in front of a waterfall in a Norwegian fjord and refused to descend until plans to build a dam were dropped. What’s your comment to Naess’s action?

The Deep Ecology Platform Deep ecologists believe that a radical transformation in our worldview is necessary. Thus they proceed in two directions: The types of changes needed Seek to develop and articulate an alternative philosophy to replace the dominant worldview.

The Deep Ecology Platform Ultimate norms Principles: Deep Ecology Platform 8 rules

Two Ultimate Norms of Deep Ecology Self-realization The role of human life is one part of the ecosphere. No one is saved until we are all saved. Biocentric equality All organisms and entities in the ecosphere, as parts of the interrelated whole, are equal in intrinsic worth.

8 rules of Deep Ecology Platform (1) The flourishing of human and non-human life on earth has intrinsic value. The value of non-human life forms is independent of the usefulness these may have for narrow purposes. (2) Richness and diversity of life-forms are values in themselves and contribute to the flourishing of human and non-human life on earth. (3) Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs; (4) Present human interference with the non-human world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening

8 rules of Deep Ecology Platform (5) The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible with a substantial decrease of the human population. The flourishing of non-human life requires such a decrease. (6) Significant change of life conditions for the better requires change in policies. These affect basic economic, technological, and ideological structure. (7) The ideological change is mainly that of appreciating life quality (dwelling in situations of intrinsic value) rather than adhering to a high standard of living. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between big and great. (8) Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to participate in the attempt to implement the necessary changes.

Criticisms on Deep Ecology It has overgeneralized in its critique of anthropocentrism and the dominant worldview. Not all humans and not all human perspectives are equally at fault for environmental problems. Not very helpful to the environmental concerns of peoples of developing countries

Any Questions or Comments?

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