The Role of Science in Environmental Ethics Unit 3: Resource Sustainability

What is Science? A systematic way of gathering information and drawing conclusions We never “prove” anything in science, but it helps us to develop cause and effect relationships Scientific and technological advances can be both good and bad. Examples: Cars – Provide efficient transportation, but are bad for nature Nuclear energy – no fossil fuels, but nuclear waste Is it important to consider the ethical implications of science? Why or why not?

Contributions of Ecology The study of the distribution and abundance of living organisms and the interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment Plays a strong role in explaining humanity’s relationship with the natural world Studies organisms in their natural systems Drawback: harder to produce definite conclusions. Why? Conservation of biological diversity – has serious ethical implications U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 – on environmental ethical feelings

Ecology and Environmental Ethics Leopold and Rachel Carson (who?) were pioneers that had serious ecological training Deep Ecology – humans are part of the earth and have no more rights than any other living being Give the Earth intrinsic as opposed to instrumental value Anthropocentrism is at the root of our environmental crises Opposite is biocentrism Beauty – aesthetic ethics Because it is – intrinsic value

Discussion Questions Discuss with the person sitting next to you first: Do you believe that the diversity of life has intrinsic value? Why or why not? How do you assess the beliefs of those who disagree with you? Imagine you were asked to make an argument for protecting an endangered species, but at the cost of restricting economic development. How would you combine scientific and ethical principles to do so? 

5 Ways Statistics Are Used to Lie To YOU Think back to a few classes ago when I told you it was important to be able to evaluate claims to make ethical decisions. Jigsaw! Groups of 4-6 Each group will be assigned a short reading about how popular statistics are used to lie to you on a daily basis Within your group, gain an understanding of your lie and write the title, an explanation, and a specific example of the lie in the first box of your jigsaw (feel free to use one from the article) Jigsaw out so there is at least one person from each group to share the information about each lie In the sixth box, write about a time when you used statistics to lie to someone, or stats was used to lie to you!