Conference turris::womannotes-v3

1068.0. "Ecology and Ethics" by GEMVAX::BROOKS () Fri Oct 18 1991 13:25

Ethics: rights or obligations?

Topic 1061 on the bill to drill for oil and gas in wildlife preserves, etc. 
got me wondering what our overall philosophy is these days anyway,
vis-a-vis our environment. Then I came across this passage in Carolyn
Merchant's book *Ecological Revolutions -- Nature, Gender and Science in
New England* (1989): 

"Ecology...offers a new ethic for grounding human relations with nature. 
Mechanism is consistent with a homocentric ethic of 'natural rights' in
which each individual uses nonhuman nature to maximize his or her self-
interest. An ecocentric ethic, however, is based on a network of mutual
obligations rather than natural rights, and on values that are based on the
ecosystem rather than on human interests. The land ethic of ecologist Aldo
Leopold (1949) enlarges the boundaries of the community to include 'soils,
waters, plants, and animals, or collectively, the land.' 'A thing is
right,' according to Leopold, 'when it tends to preserve the integrity,
beauty, and stability of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends
otherwise.'" 

Any thoughts?

Dorian

    
    I think you're right.  But when a community grows and needs to house,
    feed, and handle the wastes of more and more people, the purposes of
    the people and the sustenance of the land and its occupants (vegetable
    or animal) are at odds.
    
    Who wins?  the aggressor.  us.
    
    -Jody
    

    Of course, "win" becomes a moot point.
    
    E Grace

    re: .0
    
    C'mon, Dorian, what are *your* thoughts?
    
    John H-C