Environmental Ethics and Philosophy

The Human Person and the Environment

• The human person has a complex relationship with the environment, impacting and being impacted by it.
• Several philosophical perspectives exist on this relationship, including those focused on human responsibility to the environment.
• Anthropocentrism views humans as central to the world, with nature as a resource for human needs.
• Biocentrism emphasizes all organisms' inherent value, advocating for their protection.
• Ecocentrism places value on entire ecosystems and biological communities.
• Sustainability is crucial for maintaining the environment for future use, requiring prudent and frugal resource management.
• Philosophers like Pythagoras, Kant, and others, provide insights into our relationship with nature.

Environmental Ethics

• Environmental ethics is a philosophical branch that examines the moral relationship between humans and the environment.
• This explores our moral responsibilities and considerations in interacting with nature.

Learning Objectives

• Learning objectives in this topic include the importance of discussing the relationship of the human person with the environment.
• Recognizing things that aren't where they should be, then organizing them aesthetically is important in maintaining order.
• The caring management of the environment has implications for health, well-being, and sustainable development.
• Key issues like global warming and environmental destruction are NOT to be ignored as real crises.

Environmental Aesthetics

• Environmental aesthetics is the philosophical view that upholding order in the environment will bring out natural beauty.

Major Views regarding humanity and environment

• Anthropocentrism: Humans are central; nature is a resource.
• Biocentrism: All living things have inherent value; all organisms should be protected.
• Ecocentrism: Ecosystems and biological communities are valuable; both should be valued.

Other Important Concepts

• The Animal Welfare Act of 1998, is relevant to animal care in relation to environmental ethics; not all of the relationships are human with nature.
• Disorder can result in challenges like earthquakes, typhoons, flash floods, and landslides; these issues require attention and solutions.

Questions to Ponder

• Is there a possibility to reverse environmental damage?
• If so, what steps can humanity take to remedy the damage?
• What programs or projects would a community leader implement to maintain order and sustainability?

Additional Points

• Prudence and frugality play a critical role in personal resource use to maintain environmental balance.
• Respect for everything in our world should be a moral responsibility for all humans.
• Our environment must be taken care of, as it provides an essential life balance.