Environmental Ethics Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does freedom signify according to Aristotle?

The absence of all constraints and limitations.

A state of complete independence from others.

The ability to act on instinct without reason.

A quality that involves making choices based on an awareness of right and wrong. (correct)

What does intersubjectivity refer to?

The subjective experience of consciousness.

The isolation of a subject from others.

The connection between subjects and objects.

The shared awareness and understanding among subjects. (correct)

According to Martin Buber, what is the essence of the I-Thou relationship?

It is about transactional exchanges.

It emphasizes a mutual sharing and connection. (correct)

It is characterized by competition among individuals.

It focuses solely on the self's perspective.

What is empathy primarily concerned with?

Understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of conversation does Martin Heidegger stress?

Conversation as an attuned dialog focused on Being. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Karol Wojtyla’s philosophy regarding human beings?

Participation in communal life for the common good. Signup and view all the answers

Ontology is primarily concerned with which of the following?

The nature of being, existence, and reality. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of Dasein in Heidegger's philosophy imply?

Being present or ‘being there’. Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental belief does Hobbes hold regarding human nature?

Humans are 'nasty, brutal' by nature. Signup and view all the answers

According to Hobbes, what is necessary for individuals to escape the brutality of the State of Nature?

Surrendering some freedoms to a sovereign authority. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of government according to Hobbes?

To provide protection and order. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Rousseau's view of humanity from Hobbes' perspective?

Rousseau believes humans are corrupted by civilization. Signup and view all the answers

According to Rousseau, who is considered the Sovereign in a just society?

The people themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What right do people have regarding their government according to Rousseau?

The right to overthrow the government. Signup and view all the answers

How does Hobbes view the relationship between the king and the people after the king ascends to power?

The king obtains absolute power and cannot be overthrown. Signup and view all the answers

What defines freedom according to the Merriam Dictionary as referenced in the content?

The ability to make choices and perform those choices. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'environment' refer to?

All surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things Signup and view all the answers

What is the main belief of the anthropocentric model?

Humans are the central and most significant entities Signup and view all the answers

Which model emphasizes that all organisms have inherent value?

Biocentric model Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as the ability to make choices and perform those choices?

Freedom Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what is a crucial aspect of true freedom?

An awareness of right and wrong Signup and view all the answers

What does prudence in decision-making refer to?

Being cautious, careful, and wise in choices Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental quality is intrinsic to a human person?

Capacity for making choices Signup and view all the answers

What did Hobbes believe was necessary to avoid the brutal 'state of nature'?

A strong king Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the main concept of freedom?

The ability to make choices and create oneself Signup and view all the answers

The social contract theory primarily addresses which of the following?

The agreement to give up certain rights for protection Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher is known for his influential work on social contract theory in 'Leviathan'?

Thomas Hobbes Signup and view all the answers

What is frugality mainly concerned with?

Careful supervision and management of resources Signup and view all the answers

What does the ecocentric model advocate for?

Humans are stewards within a greater biological community Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the distribution system of power and authority that maintains social order?

Government Signup and view all the answers

What does Hobbes compare society without government to?

The state of nature Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental quality of freedom as described in the content?

The capacity to choose what we desire Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an agricultural form of society?

Ownership and cultivation of land. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of industrial society?

Use of specialized machinery in production. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of Machiavellianism in the context of society?

Using cruelty for the greater good as a leader. Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist viewed the family as a natural institution vital for human preservation?

St. Aquinas. Signup and view all the answers

What does a post-industrial society primarily focus on?

Knowledge, information, and sale of services. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a virtual society?

Interaction primarily through digital or online means. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core principle behind absolutism?

A central authority with absolute power over the state. Signup and view all the answers

How is horticultural society best described?

Intensive cultivation of smaller plots for diverse plants. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Environment

Environment is the sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things.
It provides conditions for development and growth as well as danger and damage.

Three Major Perspectives in Environmental Ethics

Anthropocentric model: Human beings are the central or most significant entities in the world, humans are the most important species on the planet and they are free to transform nature and use its resources.
Biocentric model: All other organisms have inherent value and should be protected.
Ecocentric model: Humankind is a part of a greater biological system or community and we have a significant role as stewards or guardians of nature.

Prudence and Frugality

Prudence: Making thoughtful and responsible choices based on a consideration of potential consequences, risks, and benefits.
Frugality: Careful supervision of one's resources.

What is Freedom?

The ability to make choices and perform those choices.
The ability to be what we want and to decide and create oneself.

Freedom Itself

The quality or state of being free.
The capacity to choose what we want.
An inner awareness of right and wrong traced to our free will.
An intrinsic and essential property of a human person.

An agreement between a group of people to give up certain rights and accept a central authority to protect their other rights.

Government

The distribution system of power and authority which is maintain social order.

Thomas Hobbes: English philosopher who believed society needed a strong king to escape the brutality of the "State of Nature".
- State of Nature: Brutal, where there is no government.
- Social Contract: Individuals surrender some freedoms to a sovereign authority (an absolute monarch) to escape the State of Nature.
- Purpose of Government: To provide protection and order.

The people and the king have a contract, but once the king is in power, he cannot be overthrown and has absolute power.
People live in peace without rights.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer.
State of Nature: Human's are good and compassionate by nature, but can be corrupted by civilization.
Social Contract: People vote on all matters, people are the sovereign, and have the right to overthrow the government.
- Follow the "general will" and set aside personal preferences.
Purpose of Government: To enforce order and the social contract, and the “general will”.

Intersubjectivity

Shared awareness and understanding among persons; "inter-" among or between, "subject" conscious being.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
Ontology: Concerned with understanding the nature of being, existence, and reality; What truly exists and how different entities relate to each other.

Karol Wojtyla or Saint Pope John Paul II

Participation: The essence of the human person; through participation, the person is able to fulfill one's self.
Focus: The human person is oriented toward relation and sharing in the communal life for the common good.

Martin Buber

I-Thou Relationship: A mutual sharing and connection between two people; experience our wholeness not in relation to ourselves but in relation to another.

Explain the Authentic Dialog That is Accepting Others Regardless of Individual Differences

Martin Heidegger: German philosopher (known for text "Being and Time")
- Dasein: "Being there"
- Conversation: A dialog.
- Dialog is a conversation that is attuned to each other and to whatever they are talking about; humanity is progressively attuned to communication about Being.

Society

It is an organized group of people whose numbers interact frequently and have common territory and culture.
A large social group sharing the same geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

Agricultural Form of Society

Further evolution of pastoral and horticultural society.
Agrarian: A society based on the ownership of land.
Horticultural: Focuses on the intensive cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other plants in smaller plots.

Industrial Society

Based on the used of specialized machinery in the production of goods and services.

Post-Industrial Society

Based on knowledge, information, and the sale of services.

Virtual Society

A community or social interaction that takes place primarily through digital or online means.

Theories of Society

St. Aquinas Natural Institution:
- Family is a natural institution essential for the preservation of the human race and the promotion of virtue.
- Family is founded on the bond of marriage, a sacred and indissoluble union between one man and one woman.

Machiavellianism: Absolutism and Society

Niccolò Machiavelli: Italian Renaissance political philosopher, historian, diplomat, and writer; known for The Prince.
The Prince: Focuses on leadership and political power.
Criminal virtue: To be cruel in the name of state and yet still good as a leader.
Absolutism: A single, central authority holds absolute power over the state and its subjects.

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Description

Explore the core concepts of environmental ethics, including anthropocentric, biocentric, and ecocentric perspectives. This quiz also delves into the ideas of prudence and frugality in environmental decision-making. Test your understanding of how human actions can impact nature and our responsibilities towards it.