Ecophilosophy A study in philosophy and the environment

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

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.

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

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”

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

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

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