MA

INTRO-TO-PHILO-LESSON-4

Sustainable Development

  • Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.

  • Key Concepts:

    • Needs: Essential needs of the world's poor.

    • Limitations: Constraints imposed by technology and social organization on environmental sustainability.

Principles of Sustainability

  1. Environmental Integrity

    • Maintaining the state of the environment.

  2. Economic Efficiency

    • Prudent decision-making to minimize waste.

  3. Equity

    • Conservation of resources for future generations.

Environmental Ethics

  • Definition: Philosophy studying the moral relationship between humans and the environment.

  • Value:

    • Intrinsic Value: Worth in itself.

    • Instrumental Value: Means to an end.

Views on Moral Consideration

  1. Anthropocentrism

    • Only humans have intrinsic value.

  2. Panthocentrism

    • Intrinsic value extended to higher animals.

  3. Biocentrism

    • Plants and other living beings have moral consideration.

  4. Ecocentrism

    • Ecosystems considered as a whole with intrinsic value.

Theories of Radical Ecological Philosophy

  1. Deep Ecology

    • All living things have equal intrinsic value regardless of utility.

    • Founder: Arne Naess

  2. Social Ecology

    • Opposed to hierarchical structures impeding individual nature.

    • Proponent: Murray Bookchin

  3. Ecofeminism

    • Links oppression of women with environmental degradation.

    • Key Figures: Mary Wollstonecraft, Ynestra King

Environmental Challenges

  1. Air Pollution and Climate Change.

  2. Deforestation.

  3. Soil Degradation.

  4. Water Scarcity.

  5. Overpopulation.

  6. Species Extinction.

  7. Waste Disposal.