Environmental Ethics Assignment #2
Part 1: Intrinsic Values and Holism
Background: The philosophy of Deep Ecology articulates a vision for how humans should live in relationship to the Earth. Deep Ecology asserts that nature, the environment, and ecosystems have intrinsic value, meaning that they are deserving of moral consideration and protection merely because they exist. They do not have value because they meet human needs, but because they are a part of the Earth. Holism is the idea that a system has properties that can only be perceived by looking at components, their inter-relationships, and the functioning of the whole system. The ethical implication of holism is that entire systems have moral significance, meaning that we have duties to consider not merely individual members but the entire set of relationships and attributes of whole ecosystems. This proposition has a certain philosophical appeal but translating it into an applied ethical practice is challenging.
It is the task of environmental ethics to propose how we should live in order to conserve the ecological processes upon which all life depends.
Instructions: Based on what you have learned and your own opinion, answer the following questions:
1. Do you believe that the diversity of life has intrinsic value? In other words, do you think that non-human organisms have value apart from any use they may have to humans? Why or why not?
2. Referring to Question 1, how would you try to convince someone to adapt your beliefs when you find out that their beliefs are the opposite of yours?
3. Imagine you were asked to make an argument for protecting an endangered species, but in order to protect the species, it would restrict economic development. How would you combine scientific and ethical principles to argue for still protecting the species, even at an economic loss?
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Part 2: The Hetch Hetchy Valley Question
Background: In Chapter 7 of your textbook, there is a paper titled “Can an Environmental Paradise be Regained?: The Hetch Hetchy Valley Question.” It will also be covered in Lecture 22 of our PowerPoint video this week.
A few definitions from the paper include:
Reclamation of a disturbed landscape means “repurposing” its development in such a way as to ensure that its value after reclamation is equivalent to its value prior to disturbance.
Reclamation doesn’t necessarily restore the land to its original condition, it just makes the land usable again after being destroyed (i.e. after mining operations end on a site).
Restoration of a disturbed landscape means to return it to its “original” condition, prior to damage or disturbance by human beings.
Restoration attempts to restore the site to its pristine original condition prior to its destruction. This includes continued human management and intervention to prevent any non-native invasive species from entering the area after it has been restored.
Rewilding a disturbed landscape means to alter or remove human intrusions that inhibit the operation of dynamic natural processes that would otherwise shape the natural environment.
This method has an emphasis on humans stepping back and leaving an area to nature (humans wouldn’t intervene even if an invasive species enters the area).
After reading the chapter and/or watching my video, answer the following:
Do you think that the dam that flooded Hetch Hetchy Valley should be removed? Provide at least two reasons for your opinion.
Imagine the government decided to remove the dam that has flooded Hetch Hetchy Valley regardless. Which method would you recommend to regain Hetch Hetchy Valley: reclamation, restoration, or rewilding? In your answer, include at least one advantage and one disadvantage of the method you choose.
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