Environmental Ethics

Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic" is the importance of a relationship between humans and the land and expanding it beyond economic value. We need to appreciate the land for what it gives, but more importantly value it for its divine beauty. Leopold states, "The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land" (2). There is a need for harmony between man and the land, and by changing social norms over time, we have the opportunity to change other's viewpoints about the natural world. The conqueror role is still being played throughout society and history has proven that this type of mindset will never work. Leopold writes, "Land ethic changes the role of homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow- members, and also respect for the community as such”(2). We have to begin holding ourselves morally account...

Environmental Ethics is a crucial part to our understanding of the natural world.  It is important for us to view the earth as our home, rather than just a piece of land we happened to end up on. Both biotic and abiotic factors within the environment contain their own purpose, whether we choose to believe it or not. By adding ethics into the environment, we see nature and all creatures in a different light. In the article, "Environmental Philosophy is Environmental Activism: The Most Radical and Effective Kind" by J. Baird Callicott, he talks about the possibility of a new worldview. A worldview that holds us morally responsible for the destruction of the natural world. Callicott states, "All environmentalists should be activists, but activism can take a variety of forms"(33). Direct action is of course environmental activism, but he argues that environmental philosophy is in fact a form of activism as well. This specific type of philosophy is of value as it shows t...

When I have to make a difficult moral decision, I typically look to the Bible and Christian Ethics. The Bible contains several lessons/books that can guide and prepare us for challenging situations. In the article, "Ethical Theory" by David B. Resnik, he explains to his audience that, "no ethical theory is perfect at guiding human actions"(53). Although this statement might have some truth to it, I find the Bible to be the most resourceful text for guidance in how one should morally behave/act. We may not be given exact instructions on what we should do, but by our own interpretations we are able figure out the path that was carved out for us by God. Similar to ethics, there is no perfect definition for the word 'religion'.  We get to choose what kind of people we become and what we believe in or follow. In my religion class we just finished reading, "Is the Bible True?" by William C. Placher. He stated, "We trust in the Bible in pa...

Throughout the pandemic, my relationship with nature has grown more than I could have ever imagined.  When I was finally able to step outside those hospital doors after contracting the virus, I had a new outlook on life. I took so many things in my life for granted. I am not sure if I would have ever truly opened my eyes to see the beauty in the environment surrounding me without going through this experience. Having oxygen is something we never truly think about until we lack it. When I returned home with very little energy, I spent most of my days staring at the beautiful blue sky and clouds that hovered above me. Some nights I would watch the sunset across the lake. Each day the colors would be different. This is something I never truly paid attention to before. It was a new beginning, a breath of real fresh air. After all, I did not know if I would ever reach the outside world again, and now that I am able to I have a new appreciation for nature.  When reading, "In the Gro...