Introduction to Environmental Philosophy rand3 SFES 1214

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Introduction to Environmental Philosophy
rand(3) SFES 1214
Week 4 What is environmental ethics? Science,
morality and aesthetics at the crossroad
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Lecture outline

Part 1 Three perspectives in environmental
ethics Read Botzler Armstrong (1998) Ch 1-3
Part 2 Exploring environmental ethics in the
human-macaque conflict Read Mohamad, Z. and
Abdullah, N. A (2008) Exploring the Role of
Environmental Ethics in Environmental Innovation
Some insights from the literature, and a small
empirical study on the management of
human-macaque conflict in Malaysia Part 3 Task
for the tutorial
Last weeks handout
Part 4 Some briefing for next weeks lecture
and tutorial
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PART 1 Three main perspectives to view
the environment
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Environmental philosophy

• Philosophy is the study on the nature and meaning
  of the universe and of human life, which can then
  result into a particular set of beliefs and
  attitude of life that guides ones behaviour.
• In philosophy we ask BIG questions like
• Who are we?
• Why do we exist?
• How does the universe come into being?
• How should we live? What is the meaning of a
  good life?
• Environmental philosophy is a branch of
  philosophy that relates human activity with the
  natural environment.

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Environmental ethics
A branch of environmental philosophy
A sub-discipline in environmental philosophy that
addresses our ethical responsibility as a human
being to the natural environment This is done by
identifying values that we place upon the
natural environment, and deciding on how we
should act (or what is our duty) based on the
values that we have placed upon it.
Botzler, R. G. and Armstrong, S. J. (1998)
Environmental Ethics Divergence and convergence
Second edition. New York McGraw-Hill
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Three main perspectives to view the
environment
Botzler Armstrong (1998)
Aesthetic
Science
Moral
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The Scientific perspective
Definition
Science is based on the Latin word scientia
which means knowledge. Knowledge means
information, understanding and skills that you
gain through education and experience. But at
present time, the meaning of the word science is
much more specific and it refers to an
activity that systematically discover order and
patterns in our environment (be it the natural or
social environment) and to use that knowledge to
make predictions about the world Hence the goal
of science is to fit our knowledge into
systematic conceptual schemes so as to accurately
describe, explain and make predictions about the
world.
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The Scientific perspective
The scientific method
A scientific method refers to a systematic
collection of data through empirical observation
and experimentation. Data must be based on
something that we can show to others in a
tangible way (i.e. what we can see, taste, smell,
touch and hear)
In addition, scientific findings need to be
documented and archived, all data should be
shared, and analysis and methodology needs to be
openly scrutinised by other scientists- thereby
allowing other researchers the opportunity to
verify results by attempting to reproduce them.
Analysis of data should done in a disinterested
manner. This is to reduce biased interpretation
of scientific findings.
Due to these characteristics, science is usually
viewed as an objective knowledge!!
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The Scientific perspective
The natural and social science
Remember, science is not only limited to the
natural sciences but also the social sciences!

• The natural sciences is interested to describe
  and understand different phenomena in the natural
  world to increase ones prediction about the
  universe
• biology (systematic study of living organisms)
• physics (systematic study of fundamental
  principles of that governs the universe)
• chemistry (systematic study of materials at the
  atomic or molecular scale)
• astronomy (systematic of celestial body)
• geophysics, astrophysics, biophysics
• The social sciences is interested to describe and
  understand different phenomena in the social
  world (i.e. human groups and individuals) to
  increase ones prediction about society
• Economics (systematic study of production,
  distribution, and consumption of goods and
  services),
• Geography (systematic study of man-land
  relationship on earth)
• History (systematic study of past events)
• Psychology (systematic study of mental
  processes or behaviour)
• Sociology (systematic study of human relations
  and interaction)
• Political science (systematic study political
  system and behaviour)

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The Scientific perspective
How far can the scientific view
provide

• Some authors have argued that
• There are underlying assumptions behind every
  scientific experiment
• Science can only provide a probability or degree
  in which a theory or law is true
• Scientific researchers may not necessarily be
  value neutral
• ? Therefore, even though science might be the
  most systematic way in gaining knowledge and
  making predictions about the world, it may not be
  entirely objective!

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The Scientific perspective
Exercise
Should we mitigate global warming by decreasing
emission of greenhouse gases from human
activities, particularly CO2 (even with its high
economic implication)?
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The Scientific perspective
Exercise
Scientific evidence 1 Climate change is caused by
the increased emission of greenhouse gases from
human activities, particularly CO2. ? Immediate
action should be taken to mitigate climate change
by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases in
human activities.

• Scientific evidence 2
• Climate change is not caused by the increased
  emission of greenhouse gases from human activity,
  but due to variations in the solar activity of
  the sun. Also, global warming can be a natural
  occurrence. Europe, for instance, has been much
  warmer in the past.
• We do not have sufficient evidence to say that
  climate change is caused by the increased
  emission of CO2. So, we should spend so much our
  resources to reduce emission of greenhouse gases.

Now, what do you think?
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The Moral perspective
Definition
Morality can be defined as the search of
knowledge for living a good life and choosing
the right conduct. It is concerned on how human
being ought to act rather than how human do act.
Moral philosophy is different from the
scientific approach. Moral philosophy is often
described as prescriptive rather than
descriptive. In the sciences, one is interested
in increasing ones knowledge in a systematic
way But in moral philosophy human behaviour is
evaluated in the light of moral principles and
norms.
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The Moral perspective
Moral principles, values and beliefs
Moral principles is attained from questioning and
examining our values and beliefs (not necessarily
from scientific knowledge, but also ideas that we
cannot perceive empirically e.g. God, superpower,
spirit, myths)

• Possible values that has been given to the
  environment
• Intrinsic value The value of the natural
  environment is independent of the perception of
  human beings.
• Inherent value The value of the natural
  environment requires the presence of a human
  being that can recognize or appreciate its
  existence.
• Instrumental value The value of the natural
  environment based on the services or utility it
  can offer to human beings.

(In religion, value on the nature is also
associated with ones belief in God or the
afterlife)
Hence, different values that one places on the
environment and their beliefs on which values are
much more important have an implication on how
one would react to environmental issues. Someone
who sees the environment for its intrinsic and
inherent value will take environmental protection
much more seriously compared to those who view it
as an instrumental value.
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The moral perspective
Exercise
Bees
Durian tree
Wild bush
Based on moral judgment, which of the above do
you think should be preserved the most?
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The aesthetic view
Definition
The aesthetic view focuses ones appreciation
of nature based on its beauty and the aesthetical
experience that one can gain from it. It
has both an objective aspect, determined by the
characteristics of the object or event and a
subjective aspect, referring to the
characteristics, states of mind and interests of
the subject or observer. The aesthetical
perspective is different from the two earlier
perspective - It does not perceive the object
based on specific value, but the feeling it
evokes - It is centered on the present
moment, rather than past and future - It
does not consider nature as a group of object but
the uniqueness of each object - It is much
difficult to generalise as it easily differs
between individuals
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The aesthetic view
Exercise
Which of these arctic animals evoke the most
aesthetic feelings in you?
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Which of these arctic animals evoke the most
aesthetic feelings in you?
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Three main perspectives to view the
environment
Botzler Armstrong (1998)
Experiential, based on our emotion (what we feel,
like, prefer) individual
Aesthetical perspective
Environmental ethics (How we should act)
Scientific perspective
Moral perspective
Descriptive, based on empirical knowledge about
the world, fit this knowledge on conceptual
scheme and using this to accurately describe,
explain and make predictions universal
Prescriptive, based on what we consider as good
conduct based on moral principles (e.g. dominant
theoretical reasoning, religion and cultural
norms) individual/group
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PART 2 Thinking about environmental ethics
human macaque-conflict
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Environmental ethics and the
Human-macaque conflict
Introducing the macaques

• Macaca Fascicularis or long tailed or crab
  eating macaques
• Grey-brown to reddish-brown coloured fur 50 to
  60 cm long tail
• Native to most South East Asia countries
  including Malaysia

• Natural habitat rainforest
• Deforestation and urbanization - well adapted to
  human environments
• The population of urban macaques increased year
  by year 258,406 long-tailed macaques currently
  living in urban areas in Malaysia in 2006.
• Urban macaques are increasingly blamed for
  attacking humans, raiding homes for food,
  dirtying premises, creating noises, etc.

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Environmental ethics and the
Human-macaque conflict
Early history

• In the early years
• Long tailed macaques were exported for research
  use, exotic food, pets
• In 1984
• Government banned the export of macaques due to
  outcry against the abuse of monkeys in laboratory
  research drastic decline of macaques population
  in the wild.

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Environmental ethics and the
Human-macaque conflict
Early history

• In August 2007
• Government lifted the ban on the macaques export
• Due to the overgrown macaques population in
  urban areas complaints on human-macaques
  conflict fulfill demands for exotic meats and
  scientific research (economic value)
• Strong opposition from the NGO
• Early 2008
• Stop exporting the macaques
• Nearly 80 of urban macaques found to be infected
  with tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis and AIDS
  not suitable for market
• Action taken not because of the dialogue between
  different stakeholders, but due to the unexpected
  finding on the diseased macaques

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Environmental ethics and the
Human-macaque conflict
Different perspectives

• Perspectives
• (1) University scientists
• (2) Environmental NGO (scientist)
• (3) Environmental NGO (group)
• (4) Government
• (5) Students (150 students)

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Environmental ethics and the
Human-macaque conflict
Different perspectives

• Question 1
• Should the urban macaques be traded for profit?
• Question 2
• Should the macaques be relocated to the wild?
• Question 3
• Should the macaques be killed?

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Question 1 Should the urban macaques be traded
for profit?
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Question 2 Should the urban macaques be
relocated to the wild?
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Question 3 Should the urban macaques be culled?
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PART 3 Thinking about environmental ethics
Lyrics from Hijau
Listen to the song by Zainal Abidin and pay
attention to the lyrics! Reflect on it.
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Bumi yang tiada rimba Seumpama hamba Dia dicemar
manusia Yang jahil ketawa (aesthetics) Bumi yang
tiada udara Bagai tiada nyawa Pasti hilang suatu
hari Tanpa disedari (scientific) Bumi tanpa
lautan Akan kehausan Pasti lambat laun
hilang Duniaku yang malang (scientific) Dewasa
ini kita saling merayakan Kejayaan yang akhirnya
membinasakan Apalah gunanya kematangan
fikiran Bila di jiwa kita masih lagi muda Dan
mentah Ku lihat hijau (morality)
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Bumiku yang kian pudar Siapa yang melihat Di kala
kita tersedar Mungkinkah terlewat
(morality) Korupsi,opresi,obsesi
diri Polusi,depressi,di bumi,kini
(morality) Oh..anok-anok tokleh meghaso mandi
laok Besaing,maing ghama-ghama (aesthetics) Ale
lo ni tuo umurnyo bejuto (scientific) Kito
usoho Jauhke dari malapetako Ozon lo ni koho
nipih nak nak aghi Keno make asak Hok biso
wei,pasa maknusio Seghemo bendo-bendo di dunio
(scientific) Tokleh tehe Sapa bilo-bilo
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Part 4 Some briefing for next weeks lecture
and tutorial
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Next week you will be listening to a 50 minutes
interview with Wangaari Maathai. I would like you
to listen carefully to the interview in class and
identify how the scientific, moral and aesthetic
perspectives had shaped her views on
environmental issues. Discuss this in your group
and present your discussion in class.
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Moral perspective
Scientific perspective
Aesthetical perspective
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Wangari Maathai
Dr Wangari Maathai is an environmental and
political activist. In 1977, Dr Maathai founded
the Green Belt Movement, a grassroot
environmental NGO. She became affectionately
known as the Tree woman or The Tree mother of
Africa. However, her activism was not easy. She
was imprisoned several times and violently
attacked for her environmental convictions
The Green Belt Movement
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In 2004, she became the first African woman to
receive the Nobel Prize for her contribution to
sustainable development, democracy and peace.
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THANK YOU ?