Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethics: Theory and Practice Jacques P. Thiroux Keith W. Krasemann

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethics: Theory and Practice

Jacques P. Thiroux Keith W. Krasemann


Chapter Sixteen

Environmental Ethics


Definition of Key Terms

• Speciesism is a prejudice for one’s own species and against other species

• Sentientism is the theory that only those beings with mental states should be the subject of moral concern

• Holism is a conception of nature that sees humans and nature together as forming a moral community


Definition of Key Terms

• Vegetarianism is the refusal to eat the flesh of animals in favor of a diet of vegetables

• An endangered species is a species of animals in danger of becoming extinct because of the encroachment of civilization upon the natural environment and because of careless exploitation by human beings


Nature and Morality

• Human beings have discovered in recent years that natural resources, including animals, plants, and trees, are not boundless but are subject to diminishment, destruction, and loss

• This will affect us with regard to the social aspect of our morality, but many consider that nature also is valuable in itself


Environmental Ethical Issues

• We cannot continue the waste and destruction of natural resources, but must take action now to conserve and replenish what we take from nature for our own uses

• Neither can we continue to exploit, misuse, and pollute the environment

• The rights of animals should be respected


Our Attitude Toward Nature and What Lies Behind It

• These attitudes have not developed overnight– Platonic dualism and the beginnings of Western

philosophy tended to split human beings off from nature

– Judeo-Christian teachings in the Bible taught that human beings are imbued with a soul whereas the rest of nature is not


Our Attitude Toward Nature and What Lies Behind It

• The advancement of science and technology has made nature more subservient to humans


Arguments for Use and Exploitation of the Natural Environment

• Religious: Western religions condone dominion by citing the Bible

• Natural order/evolution: humans are the highest evolved species, so they control

• Civilization is more important than nature• Only humans are deserving of moral rights

and obligations


Arguments Against Use and Exploitation of the Natural Environment

• Monistic holism v. dominion and domination• Religious arguments about superiority have

been misinterpreted or are irrelevant• Evolution of humans does not mean that they

are entitled to dominion over nature• The proper relationship between man and

nature is holistic, not dominant


The Moderate Position

• Nature is important and significant but not necessarily on the same footing with humans

• It may therefore be used for human ends but with care so as not to endanger or destroy it


The Moderate Position

• This position generally agrees with the holistic position but is not against using nature for the good of humans as long as it is done carefully, allowing for the preservation and protection of the environment


Criteria for Animal Rights

• Anything that is alive is deserving of moral consideration

• Those with interests have rights• Attributes of soul, mind, and feelings – moral

consideration is based on whether or not beings have these attributes

• Animals seem to possess the power of reason, at least at the rudimentary level


Ways of Dealing with Animal Rights

• Vegetarianism• Sentientism– Animals have mental states that are to some

extent akin to those of humans and are therefore deserving of rights

• Holism– Every living thing is deserving of respect, because

they are all a part of nature as a whole


Use of Animals for Food

• Is it moral to kill sentient beings possessing all of the attributes previously described, and use them for food?

• How do our ways of raising animals impact this question?


Use of Animals for Food

• The moderate (between vegetarian and carnivore) argues that animals can be eaten but we should not accept wholesale slaughter or mistreatment of animals


Arguments for Use of Animals for Experimentation

• Arguments For: – Without our ability to use animals for

experimentation, humans would have to be used and would be harmed or killed, or no cures for diseases could ever be found


Arguments for Use of Animals for Experimentation

• Arguments For cont’d: – Because, by law, humans cannot be used for

experimentation without informed consent and strict guidelines, scientific and medical progress need animals

– Animals are less valuable than humans


Arguments Against Use of Animals for Experimentation

• Animals are thinking and feeling beings; it is immoral to make them suffer and die for human progress

• Many experiments are absolutely unnecessary to human health and well-being

• Scientific progress must stop if it cannot advance without animals


Killing Animals for Sport

• Argument For:– Ancient activity– Animal population control– Need for animal meat and products

• Argument Against:– Hunting is no longer needed– Animal populations will control themselves– Domestic meat alleviates the need to hunt


Protection of Endangered Species

• An irreverence for even a small segment of life affects one’s reverence for all life

• Most species are beautiful and interesting and they should be available to future generations


Protection of Endangered Species

• All animals seem to contribute in some way to the balance of nature and its food chain, and we should be careful not to upset that balance


Non-Western Perspectives on Environmental Issues

• Because environmental problems are global in scope and implications raised by these important issues of concern affect people the world over, it will be worthwhile to briefly note the value of non-Western ethical viewpoints

• The great goal of Chinese thought is to achieve harmony and balance



• The immanent worldviews of Hinduism and Buddhism, which stress the oneness and interconnectedness of the natural order, present clear alternatives to Western transcendent perspectives where human beings stand over/against nature



• In Daoist thought the key concept is the dao – the way, which refers to ultimate reality, the way of nature, and ethical living



• Confucianism attempts to extend the way by establishing social conventions and Kongzi ritualized proper conduct so that the life, in effect, becomes a performance that is designed to further natural harmony



• In a world of pluralistic cultural values an expanded field of possibilities makes room for alternative responses to serious environmental challenges not easily resolved

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Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethics: Theory and Practice Jacques P. Thiroux Keith W. Krasemann