THE HUMAN PERSON
IN THE
ENVIRONMENT
PPT BY: Cathrine
HOW DOES
PHILOSOPHY DEFINE
THE PERSONS
RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE ENVIRONMENT?
ANTHROPOCENTRIS
M
Anthropocentrism is the belief that human beings are the
most important or central entities in the universe.
Anthropocentrism: "Human Being at the Center"
The term "anthropocentrism" comes from the Greek words
"anthropos" (human being) and "kentron" (center).
Example:
A group of friends are planning a camping trip in a beautiful
forest. They want to have a bonfire and roast
marshmallows, but they don't think about the potential
impact on the environment.
The Anthropocentric Response:
They gather wood from the forest without considering the
impact on the local trees and wildlife. They leave their trash
behind, assuming it will disappear on its own. They might
even think, "It's just a little bit of trash, the forest is huge."
BIOCENTRISM
The term "biocentrism" combines the Greek
words "bios" (life) and "kentron" (center). It
asserts that the universe is not merely a
stage for human existence but rather a
product of life itself. Biocentrism emphasizes
the interconnectedness of all living organisms
and argues that human actions should be
guided by a deep respect for the intrinsic
value of all life forms
Examples of Biocentrism in Action
Vegetarianism and Veganism: Biocentrism
supports the ethical choice of not consuming
animals, recognizing their inherent value and the
suffering caused by their exploitation.
Animal Rights Advocacy: Biocentrism aligns with
the movement for animal rights, advocating for the
recognition of animals' inherent worth and the need
to protect their welfare.
Anti-Deforestation Efforts: Biocentrism opposes
deforestation not only for its impact on human well-
being but also because it recognizes the intrinsic
value of trees and the harm it inflicts on entire
ecosystems.
ECOCENTRISM
Ecocentrism is an ethical perspective
that places the ecosystem as a
whole at the center of moral
consideration. It recognizes the
intrinsic value of all components of
the ecosystem, including both living
(biotic) and non-living (abiotic)
elements, regardless of their
usefulness to humans.
EXAMPLES
Zero-Waste Living:
This lifestyle minimizes waste production through conscious
consumption, recycling, composting, and reusing. The focus is on
reducing one's ecological footprint and promoting a circular
economy.
Renewable Energy:
Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and
hydropower reduces dependence on finite fossil fuels, mitigating
environmental degradation and climate change
Environmental
Aesthetics
Environmental aesthetic is one
philosophical view that believes
maintaining order in the environment will
bring out the natural beauty of the
surroundings and contribute to the well-
being of the people and the other
organisms living in it. The appreciation of
natural beauty brings out concern for the
environment and helps people relate
more effectively with nature
Environmentalism
This perspective advocates to
address the growing
environmental problems.
Philosophy has a significant
role in the development of
environmental awareness and
actions.
Environmental ethics
Environmental ethics is the
study of the moral
relationship between
humans and the natural
world, focusing on how
we should treat the
environment.
The Development
of Ethical Views
Regarding the
Environment
Environmental ethics emerged in the 1970s, advocating
human responsibility and action with regard to
environmental issues. Its main ideas are the following:
•All nonhuman elements of the world, including animals
and natural resources, have intrinsic value and should be
preserved.
• The preservation of the environment will benefit humans
by providing for the needs of present and future
generations.
•Humankind has a responsibility to safeguard the planet as
stewards of creation.
Environmental ethics has
resulted in the development of
varied views
Social ecology applies an ecological and ethical approach in
analyzing society and see relationship between social problem
and environmental problems.
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people regardless of race, colour, national
origin, or income, with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.
Environmental ethics has
resulted in the development of
varied views
Another perspective in environmental awareness is
environmental aesthetics, which originally focused on
concepts of beauty and nature but has become increasingly
influenced by environmental concerns. Environmental aesthetics
began in the 20th century, concerned primarily with natural
beauty and the context of maintaining order and balance in the
environment. For its adherents, knowledge about nature will not
only enable humans to appreciate nature's innate beauty but will
also help them relate more effectively in the environment.
Sustainability
(Sustainable
development)
This concept focuses on reconciling human
activities and economic development with the
protection of the environment.
Making wise decisions regarding the use of
natural resources to ensure that there is still
enough left for future use is one of the major
ideas of sustainability.
3 important principles:
• Environmental integrity- refers to maintaining the state
of the environment.
• Economic efficiency- refers to prudence in decision-
making regarding the use of resources to ensure that
there is minimum to zero waste.
• Equity- demands that we use our natural resources in
such a manner that these are conserved so that the
next generation will be able to use them.
Prudence- the ability to regulate
one's actions and behavior.
Frugality- being thrifty with the
use of one's resources.
Thank you for
listening
