Environmental Ethics

1. China’s sustainable development Environmental Ethics GuoRu Ph.D. CESE, Tongji University ruguo@tongji.edu.cn

2. Outline • Review • Introduction of ethics and environmental ethics

3. Review • What is Sustainable Development?

4. Sustainable development Social Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Environmental Economic

5. Question • What are the negative aspect of sustainable development if any?

6. Ethics and Environmental Ethics

7. Learning objectives • Describe the meaning of ethics • Describe the meaning of environmental ethics • Explain the differences between ethics and environmental ethics • Explain the differences between ecocentric worldview and anthropocentric worldview

8. Why to learn • We are dealing with no small thing, but with how we ought to live. ——Socrates How should we live?

9. Why to learn • Environmental crisis and limited solutions • Help you to be aware of your thinking patterns • Help you to make environmental decisions

10. Ethics • A major branch of philosophy that includes a set of principles of rightconduct. • Adjust the relationship within human beings • Father & son • Husband & wife • Seller & consumer Can you give an example of ethical relationship?

11. Enrionmental Ethics Assumes that human behaviour toward the natural world can be and is governed by moral norms. ---Joseph R. Desjardins (Environmental Ethicists)

12. Environmental ethics is concerned with the moral relations that hold between humans and the natural world. The ethical principles governing those relations determine our duties, obligations, and responsibilities with the Earth’s natural environment .... ---Paul W. Taylor (Environmental ethicist) Can you give an example of the relationship between human and natural world?

14. Key Points of theories • Moral Agents • Moral Standing • Criteria for Moral Standing Moral Duties： That which is owed by moral agents to those with moral standing. Example: It is wrong to kill our children because we have a moral duty toward them The differences of theories mainly derive from moral standing and moral standing criteria.

15. Main Focuses of Environmental Ethics Studies • The value and right of nature different theories give different answers (Anthropocentrism, Animal Liberation/Right, Biocentrism, Ecocentrism) • Human morals and norms based on answers above • Environmental ethics issues in practical life

16. Differences between Traditional Ethics and Environmental Ethics

17. The Origin and Development of Environmental Ethics Universe Planet Ecosystem Rock Life Plant Animal Human Race Country Region Tribe Family Ego Future Now Past Before ethics

18. Ecocentric and Anthropocentric worldview • In the field of environmental ethics, two contrasting worldviews describe the extremes on a continuum (moral line). • Ecocentric or “nature-centred” • Nature is more important. • Anthropocentricor “human-centred”. • Human is more important. • Ways of seeing the world.

19. Ecocentric Anthropocentric • This continuum doesn’t exist in reality (it’s a mental idea only). People don’t function at either extreme. In fact, they may shift along this moral line depending upon the situation.

20. Questions There is one person who agrees to protect a wildlife preserve but meanwhile would agree to exterminate rats in the community because they’re threatening people’s health. What kind of worldview does this person have?

21. Case discussion • Style : Work in group(3-4 people) • Discussion: 3 minutes • Your summary: 2 minutes

22. Case summary • Consider the motive behind behaviour • Communicate and understand other’s opinion

23. Quiz • When people strongly value nature and give it moral consideration, their worldview is closer to the ___________ worldview. • When people strongly value human goals at the expense of non-human nature, their worldview is closer to the _________________ worldview.

24. Question • What kinds of norms or criteria you might use when you make decisions? • People is more important? Future generation is more important? Animal or species is more important? Ecological balance is more important?......

25. Case Discussion DDT case • Topic: Who is responsible for harm caused by DDT? • Style : Group Discussion • Discussion : 5 minutes • Presentation : 2 minutes • Q&A: 1 minute

26. DDT • Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, is a powerful insecticide that combats the vectors of human disease and crop pests. • DDT was first used in World War II to combat infectious disease in humans, but its main use was as a pesticide. Paul Hermann Müller who discovered insecticidal properties of DDT was awarded Nobel Prize in1948. • Problems with DDT arose when it was discovered that the compound is stable and fat soluble, which means that it accumulates in animal fat tissue and becomes more and more concentrated in the offspring of infected species. Thus, It can greatly disturb ecological balance.

27. The Effect of DDT on Ecosystems E.g., DDT in Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe, Zambia)

28. Questions • Who is responsible for harm caused by DDT? Why? • Governor? • Scientist? • Chemical company? • Farmer? • consumer who ask for too much? • Others? • How should we do?

29. References • Jardins, Des, Environmental Ethics (Fourth edition), Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2002 [Jardins,Des, • Rachel Carson, Silent Spring,1962 • Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections), Ballantine Books; Reissue edition, 1986 • Paul W. Taylor, Respect for Nature, Princeton University Press,1986

30. References • Light, Andrew and Rolston, Holmes (Editors), Environmental Ethics: An Anthology, Blackwell Publishers, 2002 • Newton, Lisa H.;Dillingham, Catherine K.; and Choly, Joanne H.; Watersheds: Ten Cases in Environmental Ethics (Fourth Edition), Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2002

31. Thank you!