Environemtal Ethics for A2 , OCR , showcasing various views on deforestation

1. Which ethical viewpoint is
most helpful when
addressing the issue of
Deforestation.
Priyesh Kara

2. Deforestation
The Burning of the
Amazon.
(Logging – Farmland)

3. Various Approaches
 Deep and Shallow Ecology – Arne Naess
 Secular -
- Lovelock (Gaia Hypothesis)
 Christian views – Dominion and Stewardship
 Virtue Ethics
 Kantian
 Utilitarian – Preference , Quantitative , Bentham ,
Mill,Modern (Cost Benefit Analysis method).

4. The Christian Approaches
Dominion
• Dominion approach is seen to be
largely anthropocentric.
• Singer ( Practical Ethics) ‘Human
beings are the only morally important
things in this world.
• and is a sign of Gods benevolence.
• The natural world exists for humans
benefit so it is ok to cut down the
forest so long as it benefits humanity.
• You are of more value that many
sparrows’ (Matthew10:29)
• St Francis of Assisi- God
communicates through the
natural world through (bird trees
etc.)
• natural world is inherently good
and is a sign of Gods benevolence.
• The forests purpose is to inspire
our respect and love for gods
creation.
• Singer – Dominion is the cause of
environmental problems.

5. Stewardship
Humans – here to take care
and preserve the earth
Creation is made by god and is
therefore the forest must be
conserved because of its
intrinsic value.
Humans are the caretakers of
the world – should respect
Gods creation.
The fall was the point at which we
became bad stewards for ‘they have
transgressed laws, violated the statutes,
broken the everlasting covenant.’
(Isaiah 14:4-5)
She (nature) has made all animals for
the sake of the man (Aristotle ,
Politics)
Christian ethics is rooted in the
relationship with God therefore a
Christians relationship with God
depends on how he uses creation and
contributes to bringing the Kingdom of
God (1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans
5:12-21)
We should limit the amount of
deforestation for it is against the
principle of respecting the
intrinsic value of Gods creation.

6. Utilitarianism
Quantitate –
Weighs up whether the moral
course of action is the
maximization of higher pleasures
for present generations.
Bentham -
Cutting down the forest may
benefit the farmers giving them
more farmland
Although it maximizes the pain of
environmentalist
Modern Utilitarian's-
Cost benefit analysis is the
forest worth more in the
long run if it is conserved
or more as land for
farming or for the growing
beef consumption of the
world or the logging trade.

7. Kantian Ethics
Rational nature alone has absolute
and conditional value.
May seem that a theory of this kind
would allow the exploitation of the
natural world ; if only rational nature
counts as an end in itself then
everything else may be used as a
means to an end.
Denies that domestic animals are treated as tools
, there are moral limits on their use cannot be
overworked or killed when old.
People who exploit or abuse aspects of the
natural world such as the rainforest for their
own gain are likely to do the the same other
people.
A person cannot be have
good will unless he shows
concern for the welfare of
non rational beings (
rainforest plants and
animals) and values the
natural world for its own
sake.
Categorical Imperative Form 1-
Forbids much of the
exploitation of the natural
world as it would be illogical
for everyone to act in this way.
Would be using the rainforest as
a means to an end (human
benefit and growth)

8. James Lovelock (1919 –2009) Eco holism
and The Gaia Hypothesis
Emphasizes the interference of all ecosystems , sees the
environment as a whole entity.
Humans are part of a living self regulating being (Daisy
World) – Gaia (Greek god of the earth.)
The planet regulates itself in favor of
life therefore Lovelock may say that in
the case of deforestation , no matter
how adverse the effects the planet will
eventually regulate itself and return
Looked at fossils , even in extreme weather
changes life always in some formed survived.
Habitats in forests will come back at some
point.

9. Arne Naess
Deep Ecology
Deep Ecology – Concerned
with richness, diversity
,and intrinsic value.
Rejects supernatural claims about God
Natural world has a spiritual basis
All things in nature have a spiritual reality
which is to be respected
Human beings are one part of a mutually
dependent structure.
Aldo Leopold- humans should not be
selfish and should focus on their
relationship with the land , animals
and plants.
Social conscience if humans should
extend to the soil

10. Arne Naess
Shallow Ecology
Shallow – Should stop pollution
, depletion of natural resources
and the usefulness of the earth
for humans.
• Environment is for human
flourishing therefore deforestation
is ok so long as it allows humanity
to progress ex .more room for
farming and cattle grazing.
• Environment provides happiness
and benefits humanity (Amazon-
’The Lungs of the Earth)
• Animals and plants have
instrumental value only
Peter -Singer is seen as a
benefit utilitarian argues
that animals have intrinsic
value something is only
valuable is we perceive it
to be so.

11. Conclusion
 There are a variety of views that one may use when a
addressing the issue of deforestation such as the largely
anthropocentric view of dominion of the earth stating
You are of more value that many sparrows’ (Matthew 10:29)
ranging to Naess’ deep ecological movement deemed my
some to be misanthropic allowing for some to deem
Naess deep ecological view as a largely unhelpful ethical
stance. Others may favor that of Lovelocks self
regulating earth which he encompassed in his Gaia
hypothesis therefore helping some to see a future for the
earth in that the rainforest will eventually regenerate
itself , although some may see this view as a ‘scapegoat’
method in that it allows for humans to antrpocentricise
their existence safe in the knowledge that at some point
in the future everything will be ok again.

12. Conclusion Pt2.
 Other alternative views however include that of the
Utilitarian and the Kantian ethicist approaches. Kants
may help one to rethink about deforestation in that the
forest cannot be exploited and used as means in itself
therefore violating one of the other forms of his
categorical imperative. However the preference utilitarian
approach may see one view of deforestation as benefiting
humanity in giving space for farmland although on the
other hand violating the forest in the eyes of ecologists
looking to preserve the earth for future generations.
 It therefore leaves one with the decision of weighing up if
the progression and pleasure of humanity is worth more
than the intrinsic value of Gods creation.