environmental ethics midterm

according to caradonna, what is the stock narrative of the Industrial Revolution?

the stock narrative is one of moral and economic progress. economic progress is cast as moral progress. capitalist economy freed people from manual labor. medical advances and electricity.

what does caradonna consider to be discontents of the Industrial Revolution?

age of pollution: industrial waste, climate change, deforestation, ocean acidification, filthy cities

unsustainable and cannot live this way long term

how do greenhouse gases warm the planet?

They trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere by absorbing infrared radiation and preventing it from escaping into space.

who are the critics of the Industrial Revolution?

Thomas malthus, Friedrich engels, the luddites, John stuart mill, William Wordsworth, Henry David Thoreau, John muir

what is dasein for Heidegger?

da sein-being there

being in the world in a particular situation

•Dasein is a phenomenological description of what it is like to be in the world

•Dasein’s being-in-the-world is more than just taking up space – it involves a way of thinking about the world

how does Heidegger’s use of hyphenated words overcome various philosophical problems that relate to the environment?

(e.g., Being-in-the-world) express how humans and world are interconnected, overcoming the subject–object divide that separates humans from nature.

what is the question concerning technology?

WHAT is technology???

we see nature as only resources

we demand everything to be available to us

what is the essence of technology?

a way of revealing the world, showing it as something to be used or ordered

how does technology relate to Being?

we neglect the being

it can conceal deeper truths of existence by framing the world as a resource

What does Heidegger mean by enframing?

The technological mindset that sees the world as standing-reserve, a storehouse of resources to exploit.

What does Heidegger mean by standing reserve?

The view of beings (including humans and nature) as resources ready for use.

Does Heidegger believe that technology is good? Bad? both?

Neither; it’s ambiguous. Its danger lies in reducing Being to utility, but it can also reveal truth if approached reflectively

What is moral extensionism?

Extending moral consideration beyond humans (e.g., to animals, ecosystems)

what is utilitarianism?

Morality = maximizing happiness/minimizing suffering for the greatest number

hedonism =pleasure is the highest good

on what standard is utilitarianism based?

pleasure

what is Bentham’s hedonistic calculus?

ascribes a quantitative value to pain and pleasure

pleasure gets a positive value, pain gets a negative value, by adding up pleasure and subtracting pain, we can determine which action is best

How does mill add to hedonistic Calculus?

argues that a beast’s pleasures are not enough to satisfy a human being’s ideas of happiness

humans have faculties that animals do not (intellect)

there is a qualitative as well as quantitative difference in pleasures

how does singer extend mill’s moral theory, to whom, and on what bias?

Extends moral concern to all sentient beings; the ability to suffer grants moral status.

do animals have rights in singer’s moral theory?

Not “rights” per se, but moral consideration equal to humans where suffering is concerned.

what is deontology?

Morality based on duty, intent, and rationality—not outcomes.

what does Kant ground his moral reasoning in, on what standard?

reason bc its shared by all humans

be able to state the categorical imperative- universal law version?

Act only on on that maxim that you can will as a universal law

be able to state the categorical imperative -practical or end-in-itself version?

always treat humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end

what is the moral unit in Kant?

categorical imperative

how does Regan extend Kant’s moral theory, to whom, and on what basis?

Grants moral value to subjects-of-a-life (beings with beliefs, desires, memory, etc.).

what is the standard used to determine moral value in Regan?

inherent value, not utility.

what is the moral unit in Regan?

Subjects-of-a-life

how is Taylor’s respect for nature different from Regan’s?

•Taylor’s argument rejects human centered (anthropocentric) ethics for life centered (biocentric) egalitarianism

Extends moral worth to all living beings, not just sentient ones.

how is taylor’s respect for nature deontological or Kantian?

Respects intrinsic worth; not based on outcomes

how does Taylor extend Regan’s moral theory, to which entities, and on what basis?

Extension: All living things (plants, animals, ecosystems).

how does Taylor justify the attitude of respect for nature?

Justification: Each organism has its own good and purpose (telos).

what is biocentric egalitarianism?

All life forms have equal intrinsic value.

what is the moral unit in Taylor?

individual living organisms.

what is the wilderness debate?

•Realists:  wilderness exists independently of humans, it is ‘intrinsically good, and we ought to preserve it

•Constructivists:  wilderness is socially constructed by humans

does Christopher stone believe trees have moral standing? if so what kind?

Yes, he argues they should have legal standing.

what is stone’s argument?

If corporations can have rights, so can natural entities; expanding moral/legal consideration is a logical progression of moral development.

what entities are worthy of moral consideration and are protected under Rolston’s ethic?

all living entities

how is Rolston’s name for these entities slightly different from that of taylor’s

Values species and systems (collectives) rather than individuals.

what standard does Rolston base his ethic on?

Ecological value

what is rolston’s reasoning to justify his position?

Nature creates and sustains value on its own; humans should recognize and respect that.

what is Leopold’s ethic and what is it based on?

land ethic, A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”

what is the land ethic?

A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”

what is the moral unit for Leopold?

the land community

is it atomistic or holistic?

holistic

what does Leopold ground his land ethic upon, which standard?

Ecological interconnectedness

what does Leopold mean by thinking like a mountain?

to adopt a holistic, long-term perspective that recognizes the profound interconnectedness of an ecosystem, rather than making decisions based on short-term human interests.

what is the fierce green fire he talks about?

Symbol of realizing the interconnectedness of life (his moment of ecological awakening).

what is the land pyramid?

Food web showing the energy flow through ecosystems.

what is an ecological conscience?

A moral responsibility to the biotic community.

what is the difference between type a and type b conservationists?

Type A: utilitarian (use nature wisely); Type B: moral/ecological respect for nature.

Wendy lynne lee claims that Leopold is patriarchal and dimnesses his thought—why?

Leopold’s language and framework are patriarchal and hierarchical, prioritizing control and stewardship over equality and relationality.

how is Arne ness’s deep ecology ethic different from Leopold?

Focuses on intrinsic value and self-realization for all beings, not just ecological stability.

do deep ecologists believe nature has intrinsic value?

Yes—nature has value independent of humans

what is the difference between deep and shallow ecology for naess?

• Shallow: fights pollution and resource depletion for human benefit.

• Deep: challenges anthropocentrism and calls for radical restructuring of society.

what is the ecological self?

Identity expanded to include all living things; harming nature is harming oneself.

what are the basic principles of naess’s platform?

1) Intrinsic value of all life, (2) Diversity and complexity enhance value, (3) Humans have no right to reduce this diversity except for vital needs, (4) Need for population reduction and policy change, etc.

what is derrick Jensen’s radicalized form of deep ecology?

Calls for dismantling industrial civilization entirely

Wendy lynne lee frequently discusses the need for a paradigm shift— meaning what?

A complete rethinking of human–nature relationships, moving away from domination and control.

what does Jensen think of industrial civilization?

Inherently destructive and unsustainable.

what does jensen propose we do about industrial civilization?

Resistance, even sabotage, to protect the planet.

how does jensen justify his position?

Industrial systems depend on exploitation; survival of life requires their end.

what is the endgame for jensen?

Collapse of civilization and renewal of ecological balance.

what is eco-phenomenology?

Combines phenomenology and ecology to describe how we experience the world as part of it.

for wood, how is this an environmental ethic, i.e., one that can make value judgements?

• Reveals values in lived experience—ethical responsibility arises from direct encounter with the more-than-human world.

what is eco-feminism?

Links the domination of women and the domination of nature.

what is the logic of domination?

Hierarchical dualisms (male/female, human/nature, reason/emotion) justify oppression; must be dismantled for true environmental ethics.

what is the pope’s position on the environment?

he environment is a moral issue; care for creation is part of faith and justice.

how does the pope think we address the problems we have created?

Integral ecology—unites environmental, social, and spiritual dimensions

what are some of the basic themes of laudato si?

• Interconnectedness of all life

• Critique of consumerism and technocracy

• Preferential option for the poor

• Call for ecological conversion and community action.

Thomas malthus

if population growth is not kept in check, there will be massive famines and dieofffs. failed to foresee increased yields due to modern technology

Friedrich engels

exposed the bad living and working conditions experienced by the working class and drew links between economic changes, social inequality, and environmental destruction

the luddites

small army of workers opposed wool finishing machines that replaced manual ones

Luddism: opposition to the domination of industrial technology and its values of mechanization, consumption, exploitation, growth, competition, novelty, and progress

John stuart mill

rejects indefinite growth, for growth-bound economy, a ‘stationary state’

the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community against his will, is to prevent harm to others

William wordsworth

(ROMANTIC POET) denounced industrialism and sympathized with the luddites, rejected the notion that nature was a lifeless storehouse of raw materials or a dumping ground and considered it instead a source of nourishment for the soul

Henry David Thoreau

(ROMANTIC) appreciation for solitude, harmony with nature, and self-reliance

awareness of growth driven deforestation

rejection of urban materialism

adhered to an Arcadian conception of ecology

John muir

advocated for and helped found national park system

organicist view of the natural world that stressed ecological interconnectedness and rejected the notion that humankind was voce other species