enviromental ethics

Biblical basis in Genesis 1 for creation possessing divine value

The repeated declaration that creation is "good," showing that the natural world reflects divine purpose rather than existing solely for human exploitation.

Psalm 24:1 implication for humanity's relationship with Earth

Declares that "The earth is the Lord's," meaning humans are appointed as caretakers rather than absolute owners.

Genesis 2:15 mandate for human action in Eden

The divine instruction to "tend and keep" the garden, which forms the biblical foundation for responsible stewardship and conservation.

Christian saint who taught that all creatures reflect God's glory and worship God in their own way

Francis of Assisi, whose view implies that harming nature or animals is a sin against the Creator.

Christian theological link between climate change and moral duty to others

The commandment to "love your neighbour," which extends moral concern to vulnerable communities and future generations affected by environmental degradation.

Shallow ecology

An anthropocentric (human-centred) secular approach arguing that nature should be conserved primarily because it sustains human health, resources, and welfare.

Deep ecology

A radical environmental philosophy developed by Arne Naess arguing that all living things possess intrinsic value and equal moral worth, independent of their utility to humans.

Gaia hypothesis

A holistic ecological theory formulated by James Lovelock that views the Earth and its biological systems as a single, self-regulating entity.

Speciesism

The prejudice or bias in favour of the interests of members of one's own species against those of members of other species, criticised by Peter Singer.

Peter Singer's criterion for moral consideration

Sentience and the capacity to experience pleasure and pain, rather than species membership or rationality.

AO2 criticism of scriptural ambiguity between dominion and stewardship

The same biblical texts support both human exploitation ("dominion") and environmental care ("tending"), showing religious ethics lacks internal clarity without secular input.

AO2 limitation of 'imago Dei' regarding animal welfare

By granting humans a unique, exalted moral status above all other creatures, it embeds a hierarchical speciesism that makes it difficult to view animals as having full moral value.

Peter Singer's critique of Deep Ecology valuing non-sentient entities

Argues that non-sentient things like rocks and rivers have no subjective experiences or interests, making it irrational to assign them intrinsic moral worth.

AO2 secular advantage over mystical environmental ethics

Secular ethics provides a rational, evidence-based justification for conservation grounded in sentience and global impact, avoiding reliance on conflicting scripture or subjective mystical claims.