Unit 2: Environmental Ethics Approaches and World Views
In this unit, we discuss some major approaches to environmental ethics and how they seek to balance human prosperity and environmental sustainability. We explore a spectrum of views from utilitarian conservation (the value of our natural resources for human consumption) through biocentric preservation (how to protect nature because all life deserves respect). We also explore the Gaia hypothesis and how self-regulation of the earth's climate may impact the world around us. We examine several different religious views toward our environment and how they have developed throughout history.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 14 hours.
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- describe the various approaches to environmental ethics;
- categorize beliefs about environmental ethics;
- examine the differences between utilitarian conservation and biocentric preservation;
- identify the key arguments of the Gaia hypothesis, and evaluate the evidence of the theory; and
- critically analyze various religious viewpoints about the environment.
- describe the various approaches to environmental ethics;