Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person - The Human Person in the Environment

Comprehensive practice flashcards in Question & Answer format based on Module 4: The Human Person in the Environment.

What is Environmental Philosophy?

It is the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings with the environment and its non-human contents.

What is the core belief of Anthropocentrism?

It focuses on the significant role of humankind in the world, considering humans as the most important species who are free to transform nature and use its resources to meet their needs.

How does Biocentrism view non-human organisms?

It believes that humans are not the only significant species on the planet and that all other organisms have inherent value and should be protected, advocating for the ethical treatment of animals.

What is the main view of Ecocentrism?

It places great value on ecosystems and biological communities, viewing humankind as part of a greater biological system where order and balance in nature bring stability and beauty.

What is Environmental Aesthetics?

A philosophical view stating that maintaining order in the environment brings out the natural beauty of surroundings and contributes to the well-being of people and other living organisms.

According to Anaximander, how does the evolution of the world begin?

According to his 'Creation-Destruction' cosmology, it begins with the generation of opposites in nature, which is originally indeterminate-boundless without boundaries between warm, moist, or dry regions.

How did Pythagoras describe the universe and humanity's relationship with it?

He described the universe as a living embodiment of nature's order, harmony, and beauty, involving biophilia (love of other living things) and cosmophilia (love of other living beings).

What was Immanuel Kant's perspective on the orderliness of nature?

He posited that the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties guide us toward a deeper religious perspective.

What were the views of Herbert Marcuse and George Herbert Mead regarding human interaction with nature?

Herbert Marcuse stated that humans have power over nature, while George Herbert Mead stated that man has duties and responsibilities in nature.

How does the World Commission on Environment and Development define Sustainable Development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What is the principle of Environmental Integrity in sustainable development?

It means that any human activities or economic advances should not unduly disrupt the environment and human communities located in the area.

What is Economic Efficiency as a principle of sustainability?

It is the principle of ensuring that there is minimum to zero waste in using our natural resources.

What does Equity mean as a principle of sustainability?

It refers to conserving our natural resources so that future generations will still be able to use them.

Who proposed Deep Ecology and what is its main premise?

Proposed by Arne Naess, it assumes all living things possess equal value and intrinsic worth regardless of their utility to other beings, shifting away from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism.

What is Social Ecology and who is its proponent?

Proposed by Murray Bookchin, it asserts that ecological problems can be traced to social problems, where hierarchical and class-structured societies dominate resources for profit and self-interest.

What is the central premise of Ecofeminism?

It assumes a male-centered view of nature is the root cause of ecological problems and links the societal oppression of women directly with the tendency to abuse the environment.

What is Prudence?

It is the capacity to direct and discipline one's activities and behavior using reason that is cautious and, as much as possible, keeps away from any risks.

Why is prudence considered an ecological virtue?

Because it implies the acknowledgment of physical and moral human finiteness, recognizing that vulnerable human beings depend on a fragile natural world.

What is Frugality?

It is the quality of being thrifty and exercising careful supervision or cautious management of one's resources.

How does practicing frugality help solve environmental problems?

It lessens damage to the environment by using fewer natural resources like water and electricity and living out the idea of 'reduce, reuse, recycle' to minimize overall environmental impact.