Environmental Philosophy Notes (2nd Grad)

SAS 15-16: Exploring and Understanding the Areas of Environmental Philosophy Area of Environmental Philosophy Environmental Ethics - considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics solely (humans to the non-human world) Environmental Aesthetics - the aesthetic experience of the world; fo...

SAS 15-16: Exploring and Understanding the Areas of Environmental Philosophy Area of Environmental Philosophy Environmental Ethics - considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics solely (humans to the non-human world) Environmental Aesthetics - the aesthetic experience of the world; focus on questions concerning appreciation of the world Environmental Ecofeminism - links feminism with ecology; seeks to eradicate all forms of social injustice Environmental Hermeneutics - addresses issues of interpretation as they relate to nature and environmental issue Environmental Theology - the understanding of God's relationship to the cosmos or Creation SAS 17: Reflecting on Environment- Related World Views Environment Related Worldviews Biocentrism - all living beings have inherent value and humans are not superior to others Ecocentrism - puts forward the value of the ecosystems (both its living and nonliving components) above all Anthropocentrism - puts the human being at the center stage and, hence, nature and ecosystems are sources of resources for human use SAS 18: Examining Philippine Environmental Laws Republic Act 8749. An Act shall be known as the "Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999." Section 2. Declaration of Principles - The State is committed to ensuring a balanced and healthful ecology in harmony with nature and promoting sustainable development. It emphasizes the primary responsibility of local government units in addressing environmental issues and upholds the principle that polluters must pay. The State also recognizes that maintaining a clean and healthy environment is a collective responsibility for the benefit of all. Section 3. Declaration of Policies - The State aims to balance development and environmental protection by pursuing a sustainable development framework. It will implement a holistic national program for air pollution management through effective coordination and delegation. The policy encourages cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries, focusing on pollution prevention. Public information and education will be promoted to foster an informed and active public in air quality planning and monitoring. Additionally, the State will enforce accountability for environmental impacts, including setting up mechanisms for clean-up, rehabilitation, and compensation. Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) - The law mandates a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program to protect public health and the environment. It promotes environmentally-sound methods to maximize resource utilization and encourages resource conservation and recovery. The program sets guidelines for solid waste avoidance and volume reduction through measures like composting, recycling, re-use, and recovery before disposal in environmentally sound facilities Republic Act No. 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004) - This law mandates the State to pursue economic growth while ensuring the protection, preservation, and revival of water quality in fresh, brackish, and marine waters. It emphasizes streamlining processes, promoting environmental strategies, and formulating a holistic national program for water quality management that integrates concerns about water sources, ecological protection, water supply, public health, and quality of life. SAS 19: Reflecting on Man as a Social Being Man as a Social Being The human being is a social being. Thus it is said that no human being is an island. According to Confucius, man is always aware of the presence of other people in his life. Man is always conscious of the presence of other human beings. Social Contract Theory of Thomas Hobbes - conceives of a pre-society state of nature in which strife and killing was the rule - a man’s life was poor, solitary, nasty, brutish and short Social Contract Theory of Jean-Jacques Rousseau - asserts the society is a product of a contract naturally made between human beings - pre-society state of nature was a free world Social Contract Theory of John Locke - the pre-contract state of society was the state of nature in peace and harmony prevailed - every man was born free