•"How do people's beliefs about the the environment, that is, a duty derived

environment affect their actions?" from human interest alone.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND THE 2. Biocentric or Life Principle

WORLD VIEW ON THE ENVIRONMENT o All forms of life have an inherent right to
exist.
Ethics o Some biocentric thinkers give species a
o Is a branch of philosophy that seeks to hierarchy of values,
define fundamentally what is right and o Some believe that we have greater
what is wrong, regardless of cultural responsibility to protect the animal
differences. species than the plant species.
o E.G. Most cultures have a reverence for o Others determine the rights of various
life and hold that all individuals have the species depending on the harm they do
right to live. It is considered unethical to to humans.
deprive an individual of life.
3. Ecocentrism
Morals o Maintains that the environment deserves
o Differ somewhat from ethics because direct moral consideration and not one
morals reflect the predominant feelings which is merely derived from human
of a culture about ethical issues. (and animal) interest.
o E.G. In almost all culture, it is certainly o It suggested that the environment have
unethical to kill someone; however, direct rights that it qualifies for moral
when a country declares war, most of its personhood that is deserving of a direct
people accept the necessity of killing the duty, and that it has inherent worth.
enemy. Therefore, it is no moral thing to o The environment, by itself, is considered
do even though ethics says that killing is to be one on a moral par with humans.
wrong. No nation has ever declared an Different Environmental Philosophies and
immoral war Ethical Perspective in Comparison

Environmental Ethics
o Is a topic of applied ethics, which
examines the moral basis of our
environment responsibility.
o In the era of the environment, many
would agree that we need to be
environmental responsible.

Three Primary Theories of Moral

Responsibility to the Environment

1. Anthropocentric or Human-Centered
WORLDVIEWS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
o Is the view that all environmental
responsibility is derived from human
1. The Indigenous People (The Tribal
interest alone.
People)
o The assumption here is that only human
o Endow the natural world with psychic
beings are morally significant persons
powers.
and have a direct moral standing.
o The believers here relate to the natural
o Since the environment is crucial to
world as a
human well being and human survival,
"Thou".
then we have an indirect duty towards
o The emphasis is on reverence and
wonder, at other times the natural world
 is feared, so that the believer must o Decided that his monks should live
placate the spirits with ritual offerings. together in a stable community.
o At all times, however, the world is alive o The rhythm of the monastic like written
with spirit presence, Nature is not inert, into his famous rule included liturgical
secularized or a mere. and other forms of prayer, manual work
o It used to be as a resource for the and study, "Ora et Labora".
exclusive benefits of humans. Nature o They learned to care for the land so that
has its own inner presence and dignity the model of interaction with the natural
apart from any value humans may place world to emerge from thos tradition
upon it. As such it must be revered and might be called the "taming of the earth".
respected
2.3 St Francis of Assisi: Franciscan
Cultural and Biological Diversity fellowship with all creation
o He and his friars had no possessions
and were expected to live lightly on the
earth, a burden neither to the Earth nor
to those who met their subsistence
needs.
o In opting for the nomad life, St. Francis
abandoned any "homo faber" role for the
brothers.
o The natural world is not seen from
utilitarian perspective, as providing food,
clothing and shelter for human beings.
2. The Christian Consciousness Rather there is a sense of joy, wonder,
o The biblical perspective of the natural praise, and gratitude for the gift of all
world is a helpful way of understanding life.
our rapport with the environment.
o The writings on the book of Genesis are 2.4 St. Hildegarde of Bingen: Greening of
a fitting start to draw our understanding the Earth
on man's responsibility towards the o The approach of Hldegarde of Bingen
natural world then the approaches of St. (1098-1178) adds a unique dimension to
Benedict and St. Franeis and lastly the both that of Benedict and Francis.
writings of Hildegarde of Bingen. o This remarkable woman- poet, musician,
painter, visionary, botanist, herbalist,
2.1 The Book of Genesis counselor to the popes, princes and
o No created being can live in isolation of councils of the church- has a unique
others. Ours is a life of contribution to make the western
interconnectedness. Each created being Christian's appreciation of the natural
plays a specific role in the whole of world.
creation- the lower species are for the o Her approach to the Earths delights in
higher, the higher ones for the highest, the "greening of the earth"
and the highest of creation, man, is
subordinated and ordained to no other
than the creator Himself- God.
o Consequently it is Him that man is
accountable.

2.2 St. Benedict of Nursia: Benedictine Care 3. World Religion (Dialogue with other
for the Earth Religions)
  Our worldviews or, perhaps.
Perceptions on the environment would
be enhanced even further with the
wisdom and rich insights from a number
of great religions.

3.1 Hinduism
o One of the greatest religions that
emerges in the Indian subcontinent, puts
life as its primary value.
o They have great respect for life and that
includes all creatures.
o The Hindu religion is very similar with
the Buddhist religion.

Buddhism
o The respect and compassion for life is
also found in the second great religion to
emerge in the Indian sub-continent.
o An essential dimension of right
livelihood is concern for the life of all
creatures.
o The demands on the monk are even
stricter. He is forbidden to take any life.

4. Patriarchal System
o The mindset that emerges in Europe,
the dominance of Men over Women.
o Came in the age of enlightenment and
reason in Europe.
o This system believes of Man as strong
and the Woman as weak.
o It views things in a dualistic manner and
in a liner view of history. You either win
or lose.