Philosophical Contributions to Environmental Ethics

• Anthropocentric View in Western Philosophies:

  · Humans are traditionally seen as possessing intrinsic value, while nature is considered to have instrumental value for meeting human needs.

  · The goal of studying the natural world was to understand how to use it for human society's goals.
• Empiricism and Bacon's Influence:

  · Francis Bacon's empiricism contributed to the development of the scientific method.

  · Bacon advocated an anthropocentric view, believing that nature could be manipulated in line with God's plan for humanity.
• Judeo-Christian Roots and Environmental Crisis:

  · Lynn White's essay suggests that anthropocentric thinking, rooted in Judeo-Christian views, contributes to environmental issues.

  · Nature's instrumental value implies that manipulating or harming it does not violate morality.

   

   
• Potential for Anthropocentric Environmental Care:

  · Some philosophers argue that an anthropocentric approach can lead to an ethics of environmental care.

  · Moral obligations to the environment can be justified by appealing to human interests and the desire for self-preservation.
• William Baxter's Anthropocentric Environmental Ethic:

  · Baxter's view assigns intrinsic value only to persons.

  · Moral obligation to the nonhuman world exists due to the intrinsic connection between human interests and the natural world.
• Taxation as an Anthropocentric Solution:

  · The proposed solution involves imposing taxes on activities detrimental to society or planetary health.

  · Example: Carbon emissions tax holds organizations accountable for environmental harm.

   
• Deep Ecology and Intrinsic Value:

  · Deep ecology, coined by Arne Naess, assumes intrinsic value for all living things.

  · Advocates restraint in environmental interactions, recognizing the intrinsic value of all life.
• Interconnectedness in Deep Ecology:

  · Calls for a fundamental shift in thinking about human-nature relationships.

  · Emphasizes the interrelatedness of all nature, promoting a responsibility to respect intrinsic value and promote life.
• Critiques of Deep Ecology:

  · Seen as a privileged stance in developed nations.

  · Challenges for less industrialized countries facing survival issues to prioritize environmental initiatives.
• Social Ecology and Systemic Change:

  · Social ecologists attribute environmental problems to a flawed political and economic system.

  · Murray Bookchin advocates addressing social problems to solve ecological issues.

  · Proposes empowering smaller, locally based groups for environmental awareness and change.