Environmental Philosophies & Ethics

EVR 3020

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Session 2: Anthropocentrism, Biocentrism, Ecocentrism & Adaptive Systems

Reading Assignment: Attfield, Robin, Chapter 2:" Some Key Concepts," "Breaking Down Biocentrism: Two Distinct Forms of Moral Concern for Nature," Joshua Rottman (2014), "Dark Green or Deep (Ecocentric) Ethics," Patrick Curry (2011); "Anthropocentrism," Lissy Goralnik & Michael Paul Nelson (2012); "Adaptive Management of Social Ecological Systems," (2015) Ahjond S. Garmestani & Craig R. Allen.

Video Assignment : Anthropocentrism vs Ecocentrism; Complex Adaptive Systems; Adaptive System Theory; Environmentalism as Adaptive Management - Bryan G. Norton; European Anthropocentrism vs American Ecocentrism Clashing Values Regarding Wolves ; Restore Hetch Hetchy - Hetch Hetchy; Harrison Ford - Discover Hetch Hetchy; Alex Simon; Hetch Hetchy Water System - Legendary Past, Visionary Future

Homework Assignment:

  1. Describe and illustrate examples of the two forms of moral concern associated with biocentrism?
  2. Discuss whether humans are "natural" or not and how this conception relates to caring for the environment.
  3. What was John Stuart Mill's philosophy of nature?
  4. How did Stoicism approach nature?
  5. How is the modern concept of "environment" conceptualized in Attfield's book?
  6. Describe and discuss - to include providing examples as illustrations - the two criteria that "deep green" ecological ethics must meet.
  7. Likewise research this question relating to environmental justice. Are people of color and other impoverished groups disproportionately exposed to environmental pollutants? Explain your answer.
  8. Describe, discuss and provide at least to examples of the land ethic at work in an environmental setting.
  9. Describe and discuss the feasiblity of Gaia Theory in ecological practice.
  10. Describe the eight tenets of the platform for Deep Ecology.
  11. Define biocentrism and ecocentrism.
  12. Define anthropodcentrism and discuss the degree to which humans can actually and sustainability act in non-anthropocentric ways.
  13. Your readings this session assert that "Adaptive management is considered to be the best existing approach for daling with the unpredictability of social-ecological systems." Explain why?
  14. Differentiate between moral value and moral standing.
  15. Describe the Hetch-Hetchy controversy and speak to its importance in the development of environmentalism.