Module 9: Ecological Holism

• ecological holism: duty to protect ecology as a whole (environment and animals)
• what does the sand county almanac by Leopold focus on?

  the importance of land and animals on the land to the people that live there
• what does aldo leopold think about the relationship between land and people?

  land provides for humans, so we should have a healthy connection with it
• land ethic: moral responsibility to natural wold, ethics should be extended to include land we live on
• what does leopold believe about land ethic?

  shouldn't view land and animals as a property
• what are the components of the land community?

  soil, water, plants and animals
• john callicot designed the first course in environmental ethics
• how did john callicott apply lepolds ideas?

  applied reasoning of land ethic to modern resource issues (wilderness designation, biodiversity protection)
• wilderness designation: protected land with minimal human activity, recognizes wilderness as a resource
• how does biodiversity relate to wilderness designation?

  biodiversity is at lower risk in protected areas
• what are the 3 sides callicot identified in the animal liberation argument?

  1. ethical/moral humanism
  2. humane moralism
  3. environmental ethics
• ethical/moral humanism: only humans are rational, have interests, possess self awareness and linguistic abilities
• human moralism: animals are sentient, even without possessing human qualities
• environmental ethics: finds value in the entire biotic community and ability of animal to thrive in environment
• what did callicot believe about the ethical/moral humanis and humane moralism arguments?

  minimalist mindset
• what did callicot believe about environmental ethics?

  judge based on greatest good/maximum benefit of whole ecosystem
• biotic community: value of each group, such as animals, is relative to practical impact on other groups
• how did callicott and platos views relate?

  plato: focused on best way to build up a society by people working towards highest rational good

  callicott: focuses on best way to build up the environment
• how did callicot and leopolds views relate?

  leopold: wanted to think on a bigger scale

  callicott: wanted to think about the whole planet