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Chapter 2: Outline
Chapter 2
Environmental Studies: Science,
W ld
Worldviews,
& Ethics
E h
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2-2
What is Science?

ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES
Scientific thinking: inductive vs. deductive
reasoning
Humans are the only tool-using organisms
The Egyptian vulture uses tools
Therefore, the Egyptian vulture is a human being
WORLDVIEWS,,
ETHICS,
VALUES
If humans are the only tool using organisms,
and the Egyptian vulture uses tools,
then the Egyptian vulture is a human being
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
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Environmentalism
worldviews:
expansionist, ecological
 environmental values
 environmental ethics
 ethics, worldviews in
decision making

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2-1
Why Environmental Science?
SCIENCE
Science
 methods
 misunderstandings
 science and the
environment
 decision making
2-3
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The Scientific Method
What is Science?

Hypothesis?
Measurement:
- uncertainty, statistical evaluation, qualitative data,
quantitative data

Observation

Inference
f

Hypothesis; null hypothesis

Controlled experiment

Variables

Theories
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Environmental Decision Making
1. Observe
2. Develop hypothesis
3. Design controlled experiment
4. Collect and record data
5 Interpret data
5.
6. Conclusion
7. Compare conclusion with hypothesis
8. Accept hypothesis?
9. Reject
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2-6
Value Free Science?
o Misunderstandings
- science is NOT value free
- yes, even scientists are influenced by their social
environment!
o Critical thinking
- there are many competing views and claims about
environmental issues
- how can we know which ones to believe?
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2-7
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2-8
2
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Worldviews: Expansionist and Ecological
Worldviews: Expansionist and Ecological
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Conservation in the Early 20th Century

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“Environmentalism”
The “conservation movement” was a reaction
to the excess and wastefulness of an
expanding industrial society

-
-
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2-11
Two waves of environmentalism:
First wave (1968-76): environmental
revolution in Canada and the U.S.;
introduction of “Environmental Impact
Assessment”; era of “idealism”
Transition (1976-85): economic downturn;
economic costs of a clean environment
increased; jobs vs. environment
Second wave (1985 onward): global in
perspective; return of “idealism” countered
by “realism”
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3
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“Environmentalism”

Deep ecology
- human are only one species among many
- ‘”self-realization” and “biocentric equality”



Sustainable development
Stewardship
Green alternatives
- “ecofeminism”
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Why “value” the environment?



Utilitarian justification
- derivation of economic benefits to society
E l i l justification
Ecological
j ifi
i
- preservation of Earth functions essential to
support life
Aesthetic justification
- beauty and psychological value
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2-14
Environmental Ethics: A New Discipline
Environmental Values

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2-13


2-15
Aldo Leopold’s land ethic
- nature does not have to be consumed to be
valued
- each of us is a steward of our environment
Rights of future generations
- human impacts of today’s environment will
affect future generations
Combining environmental science and ethics
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Synthesis
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5