N
ature, growth and progress are concepts which we all use, but which we seldom define either in the discussion or to ourselves. We speak about environmental ethics, environmental philosophy, eco-philosophy and so on, but what do we put into these concepts? We say that we have a responsibility for future generations, and that this is a question of morals, but how should questions about morals be decided? Do we have an obligation to respect and protect the natural world for its own sake? Do animals, plants, rivers, ecosystems, and biomes have "rights"? This is what I'd like to explore with you.
We first will begin with the study of morals and values. Both of these are philosophical studies, involving the distinction of good from bad, right from wrong. These values are instilled in us from the beginning of our lives from our parents, teachers, and peers and society. As we grow, we realize that we have certain obligations, responsibilities, and duties to perform. So, when you discuss environmental ethics, we are applying the ethical study of the environment (#2). The key to studying environmental ethics is developing and justifying a theory of the moral relations between humans, non-human species, and the natural environment. Another key is to first define what you believe is morals and ethics. In society, a moral is something that is learned and applied by one person in particular. A parent, teacher, or role model usually teaches morals. Yet, an ethic is something that society as a whole applies. Not just one single person carries this standard with them through life, but many people apply the same theory. So, an example of this theory would be that an ethic would be to use silverware when eating dinner; it is accepted as a proper thing to do. Yet, a moral might be to have a glass of wine with dinner. Only certain families would accept this factor. This is just one definition and you do not have to accept it for yourself. This is just what I believe to be true.
History:
You might be surprised to discover that environmental ethics were being applied since the beginning of time, when man and woman first appeared on the earth, and the study has only grown since that time. Only in the 19th and 20th centuries has the human population truly taken notice of the depletion of the environment surrounding them. By discussing the history of the New World, you might be able to see that due to mistakes of our "Founding Fathers", the earth has suffered greatly in environmental depletion. From the discovery of other worlds and the exploration of them, to the deterioration of the o-zone layer today, the earth has been shaped by many factors especially since the 1400's, that's where I'll begin:
As populations grew throughout the world, people began to realize their surroundings. The desire to explore different, uncharted lands became the way of life for many in the 1200's through the 1800's AD. Men and women were interested in finding out what was on the other side of their known areas. This movement soon became a detriment to the natural surroundings, when people would make trails to remind themselves of their travels. This started the slow process of destruction of forest and natural wildlife for homes, food, and survival. People didn't realize that these were the first steps in the deterioration of the environment (#5).
More and more the populations wished to see different peoples and explore other cultures. This would move into an entire system of trading throughout different countries, exchanging furs, gold, money, and pricey items for show and prestige. By trading with other countries, trails were made all over the countryside and through the oceans as well, for many people began to sail to new destinations and with ships, they could carry more goods. Yet, forests were used to make these larger-than-life ships and countries had fleets of ships.
As trade grew and populations began to realize how big the world was, the exploration factor came into play. Men traveled to distant lands, in hopes of finding land that they could claim as theirs, or priceless trinkets for show. In some countries, religious persecution was happening and emotional distress was occurring throughout many lands (#2).
That is when people began to look for new lands. They traveled by ship to discover new land that they could "start fresh" and make a better life for their families. A perfect example of this is the Pilgrims that landed in Plymouth Rock, starting the foundations for the United States of America. Yet, the Pilgrims failed to notice that there were already peoples living on the land in the Northern Americas. Being selfish, they stole the land, booting out the current residents, and took the land and food for themselves. That's not the typical story that we heard when we learned about the Indians and Pilgrims in elementary school (#5). The Indians would eventually be driven out of their homes, killed off, and many would have their entire tribes die off because of the territorial movement, the lack of hunting and food supplies, and the absence of a community for protection from not only more settlers, but also from natural disasters.
It may not have seemed fair or the right thing to do, but on many occasions, war has taken a token on the environment. When populations could no longer agree and realized that fighting would be the only way to win an ever-going battle, whether one is fighting for freedom, property, or rights, the environment is the last thing that man thinks of. Yet, when cannons are blasting, destroying the countryside in less than a second, and wildlife is innocently killed in a shooting spree, no attention is paid (#5). What is the attention-grabber is when populations of men or women are killed off. That is what it takes to realize the effects of destruction.
These are catastrophic events that we as humans cannot predict very well such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, mudslides, etc. Nor can we do much to prevent them. Natural disasters can destroy an entire territory. Yet, with the destruction of the rain forests and the hole in the o-zone layer, we have helped nature along its way to creating more natural disasters. By taking away the forests and depleting the o-zone layer, we have helped to push global warming along and have put, not only our skin at danger for cancer, but have also created a detriment for animals (#2). We have also selfishlessly built skyscrapers and homes in places that we know contain fault lines or are near fast-moving rivers. So, when a natural disaster occurs, is it not our own fault that there is so much destruction? You decide.
Below is a color-coded chart on the Evolution of Ethics,(#6 ), as time has gone by, people began to think differently about themselves and their surroundings. At first, people were primarily concerned with themselves, and currently, we are beginning to see that the earth's' surroundings are what maintains the human population. So, people are becoming more aware of the preservation of the natural surroundings to preserve life itself.
| Future | -------Universe -------Planet -------Ecosystems -------Rocks -------Life -------Plants |
| Present | -------Animals
-------Humans -------Race -------Nation |
| Ethical Past | -------Religion
-------Tribe -------Family |
| Pre-Ethical Past | -------SELF |
Topics of Environmental Ethics:
When discussing Environmental Ethics, there are endless topics to describe that involve the right and wrong way of deciding. I have chosen just a few to speak about.
Religion
When discussing religion, I know this can be a trying subject for there are so many denominations and those who are atheist. I will not try to change any of your beliefs, but rather, bring some interesting facts to life. First, I'd like to discuss the Judeo-Christian beliefs. These followers believe from the Bible that God created them separate from nature. The are to rule over the rest of the world and use it for their benefit (#7). They furthermore believe that God wanted them to increase their population over all the earth and they do believe in a spiritual afterlife, (referring to heaven). Many environmental thinkers have suggested that the Judeo-Christian beliefs have somewhat lead to a big part of the depletion of the environment (#6). These thinkers believe that the way that the Judeo-Christian religion teaches their followers to monopolize upon the earth's natural surroundings is one of the major reasons for the significant amounts of depletion of resources (#6).
Aristotle began a way of thinking called Teleologic Thinking. This is an idea that combined science and ethics together, distinguishing between living and non-living things. Living things have a spirit, a soul and are distinguished by their characteristic activities, such as growth, sensation, and thinking (#7). Aristotle thought it good that these living things performed their natural duties. In the Middle Ages, though, a Christian theologian changed Aristotle's thoughts to include all living organisms, for that was God's purpose and great plan (#7). This theory was destroyed with the invention of the modern evolutionary theory, created by Charles Darwin. Darwin published many books stating that organisms are not as adaptable as other living things (#6). And, these organisms are separate from the living stage of life, for that is what the divine Creator claimed.
Another form of philosophical thinking is Utilitarianism, which developed in the 19th
Century. The basic gist of it is the overall good should be maximized, in other words,
"the greatest good for the greatest number" (#7). One major concern is that
"good" is hard to distinguish. Good is considered to be either pleasurable or
the satisfaction of desires or preferences of a person or living thing. Yet, the major
concern of the environmental ethics is whose pleasures and pains, satisfaction or desires
are to be considered? In lamens' terms, who deserves moral status? Should it be people,
animals, or plants? The choice is up to you.
Ecofeminism
The definition of this concept is an approach to the current environmental crisis that
has arisen out of the more general thinking of the modern feminist movement (#14).
Ecofeminism identifies the oppression of women by society as a major form of social
domination that has sparked from exploitation and domination and exploitation of the
environment (#3). Male societies have dominated civilization for many thousands of years
and their leadership skills have obviously not always lead populations in the correct
decisions. Violence towards women and nature is a major factor of ecofeminism. Even the
term "Mother Nature", (#1), has been coined from the fact that women are all
nuturing and are somewhat like the environment, being "tamed",
"subdued", "conquered", or even "made a slave to man" (#11).
Yet, men and women have very different types of self-conceptions and so, they approach
situations involving morals in different manners (#12). Men typically view themselves with
individualistic egos and define themselves through actions and achievements. Women, on the
other hand, define themselves through relationships with other people and their
surroundings (#15). To sum it all up, men usually think of ethics based on the rights of
individuals, whereas women stress the need to create healthy, stable relationships that
promote the natural environment (#13). Just a note: I'm not saying that all men are bad,
or that women are always correct…I am just giving you an insight into the world of
ecofeminsm.
To Conclude:
Environmental Ethics is a very Big Deal especially with so many disturbances in nature today. There are many questions that you can ask that depend on how people think and act. The main question is of morals and values…who has them and who doesn't? Would things be different if people had thought of the environment first and then reacted to situations throughout time? You think on it. Questions are encouraged!J
Bibliography and Web Related Sites:
References:
mneville@falcon.lhup.edu -or- sigma779@yahoo.com (either one) Suggestions are appreciated!