#religous eithcs

What is environmental ethics?

Environmental ethics are concerned with the ethical relationship between humans and the natural world

Should we continue to cut down trees for human consumption?

Should we continue with harmful methods when friendlier methods are available I.e electric vs petrol cars.

What, if any, are out environmental obligations to future generations?

The rapid growth of knowledge on what is good and bad for out world means we can now make more informed choices about how we interact with the environment.

The problem is there is no agreed ethical theory/approach to the environment.

Some people believe the earth will adjust to the conditions which we have forced upon her. The traditional approaches are anthropocentric, meaning they put human interests above all else.

Religious Approaches to Environmental Ethics

The foundation of the Christian approach is based on the bible. From this, some have concluded that humans have dominion over the natural world. This is the Judeo-Christian belief that humans have a special place in the natural world and have responsibility for it.  It says that humans are the only morally important members of the world, although it doesn't rule out concern for the natural world, it just says that it must be related to human well being, like not cutting down trees bc we need them to absorb CO2.

Peter Singer that the teahings of Aristole influence Aquinas and continued to view humans as the only morally important beings. They taught that there was no intrinsic value in the natural world. To have intrinsic value is to be valued for yourself, not for a quality or skill you posses.

The value of creation

God seems to value the natural world 'God saw that is was good' Genesis 1: 10 and he gave the blessing to 'Be fruitful and multiply' Genesis 1:22

God is shown to have concern about his creation 'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs on your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.'  Matthew 10:29  ➡️ suggests nothing happens without God's knowledge and approval**, and so he cares about every one of His creations, but humans are more important.

This contrasts the idea that God has a special place for humans: we are made in Gods image. 'So God created humankind in His image, in the image of God He created them, male and female He created them' Genesis 1:27 We are given dominion  '...Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds if the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth' Genesis 1:26

This may be viewed as backing up Singers view of anthropocentricism in biblical texts

St Francis of Assisi understood that God communicates to us through the natural world.  He believed the natural world is inherently good and it's a sign of God's goodness, and so it is our purpose to inspire respect and love. He believed all creatures have the ability and duty to worship God.

Stewardship

Singer believes dominion is the root of our environmental problems.

Genesis 2:15 says 'The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it' ➡️ our purpose is to look after God's creation.