Ethical values
John Muir (1838-1914) and the Preservation Ethic
Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946) and the Resource Conservation Ethic
Aldo Leopold (1887-1962) and the Evolutionary-Ecological Land Ethic
Along with economic reasons for protecting biodiversity, there are strong
ethical reasons.
-respect for life
-reverence for nature
-sense of beauty, fragility, uniqueness, or antiquity of nature
-belief in divine creation
All known human societies made decisions based on ethical and economic
values.
Ex. slavery and child labor are wrong even though they have an economic
benefit. Need to develop a duty to protect biodiversity
Ethical arguments for preserving biodiversity
1) Each species (not individuals) has a right to exist.
-each is an unique solution to a problem of biological survival and has
intrinsic value (for its own sake) Box 6.1 on sharks
-however, the protection of endangered species or communities may
involve the removal of common species
Ex. Santa Barbara Live Forever and rabbits in the Channel Islands of
California that are administered by the National Park Service
Box 6.1 Sharks: Conservation benefits of a public perception makeover
6.1 Government agencies judged the continued existence of Santa Barbara live-forever to be more
valuable than the common rabbits
2) Stewardship is a covenant with God.
-called stewardship argument
-wrong to destroy biodiversity because it is God's creation.
-Jewish and Christian traditions Ex. Genesis "God saw that it was good
and blessed them" Ex Noah's Ark involved saving two of all species
not just the ones humans found useful
-Islam- prophet Muhammad "The world is green and beautiful and God
has appointed you his stewards over it. He sees how you acquit
(conduct) yourselves."
-many others Box 6.2
3) People have a duty to their neighbors and future generations.
-sustainability- use natural resources in the most efficient manner possible to
minimize human demands on the environment.
-Rolston (1995) "It is safe to say that in the decades ahead, the quality of life
will decline in proportion to the loss of biotic diversity, though it is often
thought that one must sacrifice biotic diversity to improve human life“
-We have moral obligations beyond our self (Figure 6.2)
6.2 Environmental ethics holds that an individual has an expanding set of moral obligations
4) Respect for human life and human diversity is compatible with a respect
for biodiversity.
Biodiversity:
a. Protects our life support systems and economy
b. Provides aesthetic and recreational enjoyment
c. Allows for artistic and literary expression
d. Has provided the basis of extensive scientific knowledge that has
dramatically improved human life
e. Has provided an understanding of history and how humans have
changed their perspectives through time
f. Has provided religious inspiration
-one modern environmental philosophy that supports these tenants and strives
to change beliefs throughout the world is termed deep ecology (Naess,
1989; Sessions, 1995; Witoszek and Brennan, 1999)
6.3 Rare wildflowers and butterflies are the inspiration for botanical sculptor Patrick O’Hara