ECOLOGISM: DEEP ECOLOGY

Shallow Ecology Linked with Liberalism Individual liberty harms others

Utilitarianism: environmental problems hurt overall utility

Libertarianism: even Nozick argues govt. needed for “negative externalities”

All justify societal intervention

Shallow Ecology Linked with Conservatism Individualism environmental harm to

society overall

Shared concern for scientific rationality devoid of concern for virtueResults in community harm

Environment linked to tradition & community (preservation)Community part of identity

Shallow Ecology Linked With Socialism Rampant capitalism exploits individuals

& environment

Monopoly over environmental resources especially hurts the poor

Environmental harm often in poorer regions

Deep Ecology Intrinsic value in nature

Link

Key figures:Aldo Leopold (1887-1948): U.S. Forester Arne Næss (1912-2009): Norwegian

philosopherPeter Singer (b. 1946): Australian

Bioethicist

Leopold’s Land Ethic Land not a mere object or resource

Food chains conduct the energy ↑ from the soil, death/decay returns the energyThe flow of energy relies on a complex

structure of relations between living/non-living things

Native species keep ‘energy circuit’ openHuman interference large disruption

More on the Land Ethic Humans: Members, not masters

Duty to preserve (stewardship)

“Holistic” ethicsNature has moral standing“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the

integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise” ~~Leopold, 1949

Philosophy of Arne Næss Humans are “knots in a biospherical net”

(part of a whole)

Killing, exploitation, & suppression are inevitable still, must respect all life & minimize our

impact○ limit scientific &“developmental” disturbance○ be aware of the full effects of environmental

policy

More on Næss favors decentralized, locally controlled

communities self-sufficiency (thus greater connection

between the human & non-humans in that community)

“Self-realization!”: awareness of interconnectedness of humans & natureEx: antibiotics & yogurt

Do Animals Have Moral Standing? What rational arguments can you think

of that conclude it is unacceptable to cause harm to humans, but it is acceptable to cause harm to animals? Babies? Mentally-disabled?

Singer’s Utilitarian Perspective Question not of “can they reason?”, but

“do they suffer”?○ Apply same standard of pain/suffering

Is Deep Ecology Just Utopianism?"We shall never achieve harmony with

land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations the important thing is not to achieve, but to strive.”~~Aldo Leopold (1949)

Summing up Deep Ecology“In short, a land ethic changes the role of

Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such.”~~Aldo Leopold (1949)

Summary Shallow Ecology builds on existing value

systems and rational self-interest, while Deep Ecology relies on a new or distinct value system.