environmental ethics china’s sustainable development guo ru ph.d. cese, tongji university...

Environmental Ethics

China’s sustainable development

Guo Ru Ph.D.CESE, Tongji Universityruguo@tongji.edu.cn

Outline

Review

Introduction of ethics and environmental ethics

Review

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development

Social

Environmental

Economic

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Question

What are the negative aspect of sustainable development if any?

Ethics and Environmental Ethics

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

Why to learn

We are dealing with no small thing, but with how we ought to live.

——Socrates

How should we live?

Why to learn

Environmental crisis and limited solutions

Help you to be aware of your thinking patterns

Help you to make environmental decisions

Ethics

A major branch of philosophy that includes a set of principles of right conduct.

Adjust the relationship within human beings Father & son Husband & wife Seller & consumer

Can you give an example of ethical relationship?

Enrionmental Ethics

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

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?

Key Points of theories Moral Agents Moral Standing Criteria for Moral Standing

The differences of theories mainly derive from moral standing and moral standing

criteria.

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

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

Differences between Traditional Ethics and Environmental Ethics

Traditional Ethics Environmental Ethics

Back-ground

Racial liberation, women liberation, etc.

Environmental crisis & movement

Range of moral standing

Within human being Out of human being, within Species, ecological system

Ideology Anthropocentrism Nonanthropocentrism

Nature’ s value

Instrumental value Intrinsic value

Universe

Planet

Ecosystem

Rock

Life

Plant

Animal

Human

Race

Country

Region

Tribe

Family

Ego

Future

Now

Past

Before ethics

The Origin and Development of Environmental Ethics

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. Anthropocentric or “human-centred”.

Human is more important. Ways of seeing the world.

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.

QuestionsThere 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?

Case discussion

Style : Work in group(3-4 people)

Discussion: 3 minutes Your summary: 2 minutes

Case summary

Consider the motive behind behaviour

Communicate and understand other’s opinion

Quiz

1. When people strongly value nature and give it moral consideration, their worldview is closer to the ___________ worldview.

2. When people strongly value human goals at the expense of non-human nature, their worldview is closer to the _________________ worldview.

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?......

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

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.

The Effect of DDT on Ecosystems

E.g., DDT in Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe, Zambia)

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?

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

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

Thank you!