1. Solving the human-bear cohabitation dilemma in Bulgaria:
An approach using the ethical matrix
Group V (Blanche/ Martijn/ Rivandi/ Svetla/ Yaxing)
Thursday, 5th Oct 2017
Introduce groupmembers
Connect Ethical Matrix a little bit to what has been said in previous presentations
Introduce Case topic

2. “The sum is greater than its parts”
Our motto
“The sum is greater than its parts”
The ethical matrix is the sum, the different theories making up the matrix are the parts
We shall argue that using a matrix might lead to a deeper understanding of solving ethical dilemma’s than when approaching them with any of the separate theories

3. Overview About Ethical Matrix
The ethical Matrix: It’s birth, components and application
Quotes
Influence of the Ethical Matrix in popular quotes
Example
Application of the Ethical Matrix to the human-bear cohabitation dilemma
Interactive
Working with the Ethical Matrix: an interactive experience

4. The Ethical Matrix: An Integrated Approach
Respect for:
•Wellbeing: major utilitarian principle (« the greatest good for the greatest number”)
•Autonomy: major deontological principle (“Do as you would be done by”) - Freedom of choice
•Fairness: Both + fundamental tenet of modern social contract theory (equality)
-> identification of the agents that have “interests”
-> creation of the framework
The ethical matrix as an ethical map: facilitate rational decision making!

5. Quotes
“It is not enough to do what the law says. We need to be in the forefront of these (social responsibility) issues. ”
- Anders Dahlvig -
CEO of IKEA (quoted in Financial Times)
(Source:
“Face the complexity involved in making ethical choices.”
- Linda Fisher Thornton -
Founder and CEO of Leading in Context LLC, an ethical leadership development consulting firm
(Source:
“Without ethics, man has no future. This is to say, mankind without them cannot be itself. Ethics determine choices and actions and suggest difficult priorities.”
- John Berger -
An English art critic, novelist, painter and poet
(Source:

6. Towards alternative conservation: human-brown bear cohabitation in Rodopi mountains, Bulgaria
The traditional conservationist approaches have proven not effective in many cases - discussions about the necessity of radical change of the traditional conservationist approach.
Not strict division between the two realms (human-nature) but rather co- habitation practices.
The research: how co-habitation occurs outside protected areas (Yagodina-Trigrad area in Rodopi mountains, Bulgaria).

7. Yogodina, Rodopi mountains
Brown bear (Ursus arctos, observation camera)

8. Main research questions (to be applied in the Ethical Matrix theory)
1. Encounters between humans-bears, conflicts and human response on bear’s presence;
2. Involvement of bears in strive for economic growth/sustainability – the role of bears in the ecotourism;
3. Socio-cultural and political-economic dimensions of the Bulgarian conservation policy/practices and its management on local level.

9. How could an Ethical Matrix be applied here?
Respect for:
Wellbeing
Autonomy
Fairness
Residents
Safe living environment
Freedom of remaining residence
Availability of bear-protection tools
Tourists (Hikers)
Security in tourist zones/attractions
Being informed about the existence of wild bears
How about US?
Bears
Wild animal welfare (e.g. not being hunted)
Freedom in remaining living area
Being protected by legislation
Reference:
Mepham, B. (2013). Ethical principles and the ethical matrix. Practical Ethics for Food Professionals: Ethics in Research,
Education and the Workplace,
Webster, J. (2014). Ethical and Animal Welfare Considerations in Relation to Species Selection for Animal Experimentation.
Animals, 4(4),
Yaxing - we discussed that you make a table like in the article 3.1. here and fill in some information but leave one row empty so that the class can fill in the information (actors, main ethical issues, etc.).
I am sure you can outline those but just some notes: balance between wellbeing of humans - bears, equity in ecotourism involvement, justified legislation, etc...if any questions ask me!

10. Thank you!