Ethical theory final

Teleological Center of Life

A living being that has its own natural purpose (telos) and pursues its own good, independent of human desires.

Telos

The natural purpose, end, or direction toward which a living organism strives

“A good of its own”

Every living organism has well-being that can be helped or harmed; its life matters to itself.

Biocentric outlook on nature claim 1

Humans are members of the community of life, not superior rulers.

Biocentric outlook on nature claim 2

All species depend on one another within ecosystems.

Biocentric outlook on nature claim 3

Every organism is a teleological center of life with inherent worth

Biocentric outlook on nature claim 4

Humans have no inherent superiority over non-human life.

Basic nonhuman interests

Survival and flourishing needs of animals/plants (food, habitat, growth).

Basic human interests

Needs essential for human survival and minimal functioning (food, water, health).

non-basic human interests

Desires beyond survival (luxury, convenience, comfort).

Duty of Nonmaleficence

Do not harm living organisms directly.

Duty of Noninterference

Do not interfere with an organism's freedom to fulfill its telos.

Duty of fidelity

Do not betray trust of animals we have relationships with (e.g., pets).

Duty of restitutive justice

If we harm nature, we must restore or compensate for the damage.

Priority Rule — Self-Defense

Protecting humans from immediate threat is morally permissible.

Priority Rule — Proportionality

If harm is unavoidable, it must prevent a greater harm.

Priority Rule — Minimum Wrong

Choose the action causing the least harm to living beings.

Priority Rule — Distributive Justice

Fairly distribute unavoidable harm among all those affected.

Priority Rule — Restitutive Justice

Restore the natural world after harming it.

Aldo Leopold — 3 Criticisms of Conservation #1

Focuses too much on economic value to humans.

Aldo Leopold — 3 Criticisms of Conservation #2

Treats land as property rather than a moral community.

Aldo Leopold — 3 Criticisms of Conservation #3

Targets single species instead of ecosystems

The Land Ethic — Core Idea

Expand the moral community to include soil, water, plants, and animals — the land as a whole.

The Land Ethic — Summary Moral Maxim

A thing is right when it preserves the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community; wrong when it does otherwise.”

Ecological Holism

The whole ecosystem has moral value, not just individuals.

Core Argument of Leopold’s Land Ethic

Science shows interdependence and evolution; therefore we must treat land with respect.

History of Moral Development (Leopold)

Moral consideration expanded over time — from family → nation → all humans → nature (proposed next step).

Community & Interdependence

All living and nonliving elements depend on one another in a shared system.

Science supporting Land Ethic — Darwinian Evolution

Humans are animals; biologically related to all life.

Science supporting Land Ethic — Geology

Earth’s long history shows humans arrived late; we are not central.

Science supporting Land Ethic — Modern Ecology

Science supporting Land Ethic — Modern Ecology

Demonstrates ecosystem interdependence through energy flow and food webs.

Kinship with the Biosphere

Humans share a biological origin with all living things — a “family” bond with nature.

Land Pyramid

A trophic structure showing energy flow from soil → producers → consumers → predators; harm to one level affects all.

Citizens, Not Conquerors

Humans should act as respectful members of the land community, not dominating rulers.

Extending Moral Consideration to the Land

Soil, water, and ecosystems deserve ethical protection, not only animals.

Concern about Land Ethic — Clarity

Key terms like “beauty” and “stability” are vague and difficult to apply.

Concern about Land Ethic — Ecological Fascism

The focus on wholes might sacrifice individuals for ecosystem health.

Concern about Land Ethic — Misanthropy

Some fear human well-being is undervalued or threatened by strict environmental ethics.