Environmental Ethics Cheat Sheet
The core ideas of Environmental Ethics distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.
Quick Reference
Intrinsic Value of Nature
The idea that natural entities such as species, ecosystems, and wilderness areas possess value in and of themselves, independent of any usefulness they may have for human purposes. This contrasts with instrumental value, where nature is valued only as a means to human ends.
Deep Ecology
A philosophical movement founded by Arne Naess in 1973 that rejects the human-centered worldview and asserts that all living beings have equal inherent worth. Deep ecology calls for fundamental changes in human societies, economies, and lifestyles to achieve ecological harmony.
Anthropocentrism
The ethical perspective that places human beings at the center of moral consideration, valuing the natural world primarily in terms of its usefulness to humans. Under this view, environmental protection is justified mainly because environmental degradation harms human health, economies, or quality of life.
Biocentrism
An ethical framework that extends moral standing to all individual living organisms, holding that every creature has inherent value and a good of its own that deserves moral respect. Paul Taylor's 'Respect for Nature' (1986) is a foundational biocentric text.
Ecocentrism
An ethical perspective that locates moral value in ecological wholes such as species, ecosystems, and the biosphere rather than in individual organisms alone. Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic, which states that 'a thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community,' is a classic ecocentric position.
The Land Ethic
Proposed by Aldo Leopold in 'A Sand County Almanac' (1949), the Land Ethic enlarges the boundaries of the moral community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, collectively referred to as 'the land.' It argues that humans are not conquerors of the land but plain members and citizens of it.
Environmental Justice
The principle that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or social status, deserve equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to environmental benefits. Environmental justice highlights how marginalized communities disproportionately bear the burden of pollution and environmental degradation.
Sustainability
The principle of meeting present human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The concept, popularized by the 1987 Brundtland Report, integrates environmental protection, economic development, and social equity into a unified ethical framework.
Intergenerational Justice
The ethical principle that present generations have moral obligations to future generations regarding the condition of the natural environment and the availability of resources. It raises questions about how much sacrifice the current generation should make for people who do not yet exist.
The Precautionary Principle
The ethical and policy guideline stating that when an action raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. The burden of proof falls on those proposing the action.
Key Terms at a Glance
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