Questions and Answers
What does the concept of environmental justice entail?
Environmental justice involves fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, in environmental laws and policies.
Why is it important to consider who is responsible for environmental justice?
Identifying responsibility among government, industry, and stakeholders ensures accountability and promotes effective action towards addressing environmental inequalities.
What criteria might define who or what has moral standing?
Criteria for moral standing can include membership in the species, sentience, being alive, and being part of nature.
What is a moral duty in the context of environmental ethics?
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How does moral standing relate to environmental ethics?
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In what ways may disadvantaged communities be affected by industrial by-products?
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What sacrifices might be necessary to achieve environmental justice?
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Who are considered moral agents in the context of this discussion?
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Study Notes
Environmental Justice
- Ensures fair treatment and involvement of all individuals, irrespective of race, color, national origin, or income, in environmental matters.
- Highlights the necessity of safeguards protecting disadvantaged communities from industrial by-products.
Ideal World of Justice
- Envisions a society where all individuals enjoy equal rights and protection from environmental hazards.
- Questions who is willing to make sacrifices for environmental justice and what those sacrifices entail.
- Addresses accountability, questioning whether government, industry, or stakeholders bear the responsibility for environmental issues.
Environmental Ethics
- A branch of philosophy exploring the moral relationship between humans and the environment, including values and moral status.
- Focuses on three key areas:
- Moral agents: those capable of making responsible choices, such as adult humans.
- Moral duties: obligations owed by moral agents to those with moral standing.
- Moral standing: intrinsic value granted to certain entities, necessitating consideration in decision-making.
Moral Agents
- Individuals with the freedom and rationality to make responsible decisions.
- Capable of moral reflection, encompassing adult humans of sound mind.
Moral Standing
- Entities with moral standing have intrinsic value, meaning their welfare is significant in itself.
- Interests and well-being of beings with moral standing must be considered in ethical decision-making.
- Includes all humans, regardless of age or race.
Criteria for Moral Standing
- Membership in the human species.
- Capability for sentience, particularly the ability to experience pain.
- Being alive and part of the natural world.
Moral Duties
- Responsibilities that moral agents owe to those recognized as having moral standing.
- Example: The moral duty to protect vulnerable populations, such as children.
Philosophical Issues
- Contemplates who has moral standing and the reasoning behind it.
- Investigates whether the environment itself holds moral standing and under which criteria.
- Discusses the moral obligations of agents towards those with recognized moral standing.
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Description
This quiz explores the principles of environmental justice, emphasizing the fair treatment of all communities regardless of their background. It examines the importance of safeguards in protecting disadvantaged groups from environmental hazards and the role they play in policy development and enforcement.
