Environmental Ethics Review

Flashcards covering key concepts from Plumwood's Ecofeminism, Virtue Ethics, and Norcross's Utilitarian Approach to Animal Welfare.

Rationalist Assumptions

Plumwood argues that biocentrism and deep ecology rely on Enlightenment-style rationalism, creating a false dichotomy between reason/emotion and nature/culture.

Indistinguishability Account

Deep ecology claim that there's no real boundary between self and nature, which Plumwood sees as erasing difference and relationality.

Expanded Self Account

Deep ecology extends the self to include nature, but Plumwood argues this still centers the self and treats nature as part of one’s identity.

Transcended Self Account

Deep ecology seeks to transcend the ego for identification with a universal “Self” or Gaia. Plumwood critiques this as disembodied and dismissive of individual and cultural identities.

Oppressive Dualisms

Ecofeminism critiques oppressive dualisms (e.g., man/woman, culture/nature, reason/emotion) that devalue the “feminine” and nature.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical approach focusing on character and what actions reveal about a person, rather than just consequences or duties.

Humility

Recognizing one’s limited power and place in the world. Fosters respect and care for the environment.

Gratitude

Appreciating natural beauty and ecological complexity. Fosters respect and care for the environment.

Fred’s Basement Analogy

Norcross’s analogy where Fred tortures puppies to extract cocoamone, arguing this is morally equivalent to supporting factory farming.

Speciesism

Discriminating against beings based solely on species, used to justify mistreating animals despite their capacity to suffer.

The Rationality Gambit

The claim that humans have higher cognitive abilities, justifying better treatment. Norcross argues this is flawed.

Argument from Marginal Cases

If we don’t exploit marginal cases (humans lacking typical capacities), we can’t justify exploiting animals on cognitive grounds.