Sustainability Concepts and Ethics

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on sustainability, ethics, and environmental philosophy.

Broad Sustainability

Sustainability that does not permit losses in one dimension of resources to be compensated by gains in other dimensions.

Weak Sustainability

Sustainability that permits significant long-term depletion of natural, social, or economic resources so long as the total aggregated value is preserved.

Moral Inaction

Inaction is never morally wrong; only action may carry moral implications.

Intrinsic Value

Nature is valuable for its own sake.

Instrumental Value

Nature's value depends on what humans (or other sentient beings) can do with it.

Narrow Sustainability

Sustainability that does not permit significant long-term depletion of natural resources.

Kantian Value

Value based on moral considerations and duties.

Utilitarian Value

Value based on the outcomes and contributions to overall happiness or well-being.

Human Responsibility

The duty of the present generation to preserve the planet for future generations.

The Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where individuals acting in their own self-interest bring harm to the collective good.

Deepwater Horizon Case

Raises ethical questions about the moral permissibility of using fossil fuels and the need for effective safety measures.

Virtue of Temperance

Moral seriousness in balancing self-control and moderation in actions.