IB Environmental Systems and Societies (HL) - Environmental Ethics

Ethics

The branch of philosophy that focuses on moral principles and what behaviors are right and wrong.

Importance of Ethics

Helps determine moral principles that guide human actions and justify behaviors in various situations.

Deontological Ethics

A framework stating that actions are good or bad based on rules and principles, regardless of consequences.

Consequentialism

A framework suggesting that actions are good or bad based on their specific consequences.

Virtue Ethics

A framework emphasizing that good actions are performed by individuals with good moral traits.

Collectivism

A cultural approach valuing the needs of a group or community over individual rights.

Individualism

A cultural approach valuing individual freedoms and rights over group needs.

Environmental Ethics

A branch of ethical philosophy addressing the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Intrinsic Value

The inherent worth of something, independent of its utility to humans.

Instrumental Value

The usefulness of an entity for humans, often justifying resource conservation.

Ecocentrism

An ethical approach prioritizing nature-centered considerations over human-centered ones.

Biocentric Environmental Ethics

Ethics arguing that all living creatures have direct moral standing.

Moral Standing

The belief determining if acting morally towards an entity will make a difference.

Virtue Ethics in Environmental Ethics

Focuses on respecting nature and acknowledging its intrinsic value.

Consequentialist Ethics in Environmental Ethics

Aims to make choices resulting in the greatest benefit for the most people.

Rights-based Ethics

Focuses on actions that respect and uphold the rights of individuals or entities.

Appeal to Nature Fallacy

The argument that something is ethical simply because it is natural, often misleading.

Environmental Movements

Social justice movements increasingly seeking common goals of equitable and just societies.

Feedback Loops

The connection between economic, social, and environmental sustainability, where addressing one area affects the others.

Moral Relativism

The idea that ethical considerations vary across different societies.