Ecological Perspectives

Ecological Perspectives

ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

A. Biocentric• “bios” – life, “centric”- center• The essay "The Ethics of Respect for Nature"

by Paul W. Taylor argues for an environmental ethic known as BiocentrismBiocentrism - a system of ethics that attempts to

protect all life in natureBiocentrism, all life - not just human life - should

be protected for the organism's sake

http://rhodes-enviroethics.wikidot.com/hunting


Taylor strongly holds that humans cannot let selfish desire get in the way of moral decisions about the environment.Biocentrism works under the assumption that all

life is interdependent. For example, if the deer population are over-hunted then the coyote and wolf will be affected as well.


Four main components:1. Humans are thought of as members of the

Earth’s community of life, holding that membership on the same terms apply to all non-human members (i.e. humans share the same value as all other living beings).

2. The Earth’s natural ecosystem as a totality are seen as a complex web of interconnected elements


Four main components:3. Each individual organism is conceived of as a teleological center of life, pursuing its own good in its own way4. The idea that humans are superior to other species is a groundless claim, and must be rejected as an irrational bias

ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Ecocentric Ethics

B. Ecocentric Ethicsany ethics or philosophy that places an

emphasis on ecological wholes and moves away from individual plants and animals; value is placed on these ecological systems as wholes

early version of ecocentric ethics is Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic"


B. Ecocentric Ethicsecocentric ethics and philosophies are holistic ethics,

rather than individualistic. The holism can be "metaphysical"--the whole exists, apart from or as really as its parts (Callicott’s belief that ecosystems create individuals.) Or "epistemological"—the whole is the chief way to understand the parts. Then there is moral holism—the system should be considered morally, independently of the individuals in that system.


B. Ecocentric Ethicsan ecocentric ethics appeals to ecology in one way

or another for help in explaining and defending its conclusions.

Ecologists, like botanists and zoologists, focus more on interdependencies and relationships than on individual organisms. Ecology emphasizes such wholes as species, biotic diversity, ecological communities, ecosystems, and biological, chemical, and geological cycles.


B. Ecocentric Ethicsproblems this appeal faces are (1) the

lack of complete agreement among ecologists about proper scientific methods, models, and conclusions; and (2) the difficulty of actually drawing any ethical conclusions from scientific observations

ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Deep Ecology

C. Deep Ecology“deep ecology”, was developed by the

Norwegian philosopher Arne NæssFor deep ecology, an essential point is that man

must be understood as a subject whose existence and identity are quintessentially constituted by nature or the surrounding world

ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Deep Ecology

C. Deep Ecologyman can only realize himself and prosper if he

treats nature respectfully by allowing the natural processes to play out largely in keeping with their own objectives and logic

ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Ecofeminism

C. EcofeminismEcofeminism describes movements and

philosophies that link feminism with ecologyEcofeminism connects the exploitation and

domination of women with that of the environment, and argues that there is a connection between women and nature.


C. EcofeminismEcofeminists believe that this connection is

illustrated through the traditionally 'female' values of reciprocity, nurturing and cooperation, which are present both among women and in nature

Additionally, ecofeminists draw connections between menstruation and moon cycles, childbirth and creation etc.


C. EcofeminismWomen and nature are also united through their

shared history of oppression by a patriarchal Western society

ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES: Social Ecology

C. Social Ecologya critical social theory founded by Green author

and activist Murray BookchinConceptualized as a critique of current social,

political, and anti-ecological trends, it espouses a reconstructive, ecological, communitarian, and ethical approach to society


C. Social Ecologyadvocates a reconstructive and transformative

outlook on social and environmental issues, and promotes a directly democratic, confederal politics

As a body of ideas, social ecology envisions a moral economy that moves beyond scarcity and hierarchy, toward a world that reharmonizes human communities with the natural world, while celebrating diversity, creativity and freedom


C. Social EcologySocial ecology suggests that the roots of current

ecological and social problems can be traced to hierarchical modes of social organization

The complexity of relationships between people and nature is emphasized, along with the importance of establishing more mutualistic social structures that take account of this

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Ecological Perspectives