Key Terms Speciesism

Prejudice for one’s own species and against other species

Sentientism Theory that only those

beings with mental states should be the subject of moral concern

Wholism Conception of nature

that sees humans and nature together as forming a moral community

Nature and Morality Human beings have

discovered in recent years that natural resources are subject to diminishment, destruction and loss

Is nature valuable in itself?

Should humans be concerned individually and morally?

Environmental Ethical Issues

Must take action to conserve and replenish what we take from nature for our own uses

Cannot continue its exploitation

Animal rights With modern innovation, we

should no longer be destroying animals for food and parts

Could be more humane raising domestics

Controversial use of animals for experimentation

Concerns over endangered species

Attitudes Toward Nature Developed over a long

period

Platonic dualism Human beings separate

and superior

Judeo-Christian teachings Human beings have a

soul whereas the rest of nature does not

Human beings have dominion over nature, must multiply

Attitudes Toward Nature Advancement of science

and technology has made nature more subservient

Industrialization has increased the use of natural resources and pollution

Population increase has meant need for land has grown as well

Arguments For Exploitation

Dominion-over-Nature Religious – Western

religions condone this in the Bible

Natural order and evolution shows human beings to be the most evolved species

Civilization more important than nature – highest evolutionary and religious order

Only humans are deserving of moral rights

Arguments Against Exploitation

Monistic wholism says that human beings and nature are parts of a whole not separated Religious arguments

have been misinterpreted Human beings may be

replaced eventually

Reasoning should not separate humans, but bring them closer to nature

Nature contains human needs and thus should be valued

Moderate Position Nature is important and

significant but not necessarily as important as humans

May be used for human ends if done with care

Generally agrees with wholism, but not totally against the good of humans

Thoughts?

PSA Choose a specific issue you feel is not being covered

in the endangerment of the environment

Using research completed in class, construct a small PSA poster that reflects the following: What is in danger What you want people to know What is the impact of not acting At least one measureable statistic, cited Images (do your best) What can be done to prevent further exploitation

Name on it, completed for homework or turned in today