4. Ecological Ethics Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the definition of anthropocentric ethic?
humans on top/at the forefront, judge human activities in relation to their effects on other humans now & in the future
What is an anthropocentric argument against cutting down the rainforest?
it results in a reduction of natural resources for humans to rely on
What is the definition of biocentric ethic?
humans among other species, extend our ethics to individuals of other species, animals have value independent of humans -> so biodiversity has intrinsic value
What are examples of biocentric ethic?
animal welfare and rights
Are all individuals of all species equal in biocentric ethic?
no, humans still have ranked species
What is the definition of populo-centric ethic?
all individuals die; populations persist
populations are the unit of evolution and extinction
in this system we extend our ethics from individuals of other species to populations (ex. do our activities endanger other populations?)
Is there a hierarchy of endangered species in the populo-centric ethic?
yes, but less so than in terms of animal welfare
the most endangered get the most attention, works vice versa
What is the definition of ecocentric ethic?
extending our ethics to ecosystems
ecological/evolutionary ethic -> humans are citizens of a biotic community
focused on maintaining ecosystem structure and function
ecosystem ethic: highest level of an ethical hierarchy
Why is incorporating ecosystems into ethics important?
populations interact within communities/ecosystems & ecosystems provide services
What is missing from the discussion of ethological ethics alone?
history & wonder!
What is biophilia?
a theory from E.O. Wilson
innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms
argues that humans have an innate bond with nature
can be positive and negative bonds (ex. phobias)
perpetuated by the places we like and choose to live
perpetuated by the animals we fear
How would WILSON describe why humans find baby mammals cute?
biophilia!
How would DARWIN describe why humans find baby mammals cute?
we have to care about our own babies who are look close enough to other baby mammals
How do we merge an eco-centric view of nature with biophilia? (?)
human connection with nature is crucial
our own mental health and to protect biodiversity
What are the two primary roots of eco-centric ethic?
conservation and preservation -> there is tension between people who prefer one or the other
What does preservation mean?
setting aside land for nature itself, relatively little Western human interaction
preservationists today: environmental activists (David Suzuki, Jane Goodall, etc.), NGOs, etc.
What does conservation mean?
the careful use of natural resources
could include environmentalists, farmers, fishers, foresters, citizens, etc.
today: government or private resource groups
Who are Romantic Preservationists and what did they believe?
Thoreau, Emerson, Muir
a more romantic, almost religious, view of preservation
What are the positive and negative legacies of Romantic Preservationists?
positive: nature as more than just resources, National Park movement
negative: exclusion of Indigenous peoples from their land, some were racist (Muir)
Who are Resource Conservationists and what did they believe?
Pinchot, Leopold
efficient use of resources for human benefit
“the greatest good of the greatest number for the longest time (Gifford Pinchot)
wanted to use land for wealth
What are the positive and negative legacies of Resource Conservationists?
positive: sustainable development, start of the conservation movement in the US
negative: excluding Indigenous peoples
How did Aldo Leopold approach eco-centric ethic?
nature as ecosystems, humans as citizens of nature (similar to Indigenous worldviews)
ecological, rather than sentimental basis for preservation and conservation
land ethic: evolved into the ecosystem approach
What are similarities between western and Indigenous ecological ethics?
ecosystem ethic, humans as part of the natural world, responsibility, respect
What are differences between western and Indigenous ecological ethics?
Indigenous: thanks, kinship, reciprocity, spirituality
that’s something for us to learn → learning would be called the process of indigenization as per Braiding Sweetgrass
