Ecophilosophy

1. Ecophilosophy A study in philosophy and the environment

2. Ecophilosophy • Definition: • Eco-means home or place • Sohia-means wisdom • General definition for ecophilosophy is a pursuit for an ecologically wise and harmonious living

3. Ecophilosophy • Three positions on environmental ethics • The green application of standard ethics • Adaptation or extension of standard ethics to accommodate environmental causes. An example of this is the adaptation of utilitarianism to animal liberation • New, non-standard ethics which supersedes established ethics.

4. Ecophilosophy • Beliefs, principles, standards • Nature is not something outside of humans • It is an interdependent community of which humans constitute a part • All living beings have a moral value not just humans • An expanding of the concept of moral community not only to humans and animals but to plants also

5. Ecophilosophy • Beliefs, principles, standards • Value ethics extends beyond living organisms to the ecosystems (rivers, wetlands, soil, mts.) • Actions are only valuable if we bring some good (stability, integrity, beauty) to the ecosystem • “Let us return to nature”

6. Ecophilosophy • Criticisms of modern thinking towards the environment • Overpopulation • Contraception is a human right • Lack of thought for future generations • Lack of support to end poverty in developing countries • More promotion of democracy needed • Destruction of biodiversity

7. Ecophilosophy • Issues of concern • Attitude that morality is helping friends not enemies • Putting human interests always above those of nature is surely no longer defensible

8. Ecophilosophy • Scientific discoveries supporting Ecophilosophy • There is no physical center in astronomy • Humans appeared very late in evolution and technically were accidents • Ecology demonstrates nature never respects a model or plan placed on it by man • Geology shows continents are moving