- Question
Should we care for environment?
A 'resource' that has been historically abused for its seeming endlessness, the onus of who should care for the environment becomes a progressively more and more contentious issue. Humans have recently had to reconsider the place that they have or the place that they were given without the world and the implications that has for the environment.
Yes, it is immoral to abuse the environment
This position holds that abusing the environment is immoral. Drawing on various philosophies, it argues we have a duty to care for the planet—that nature has intrinsic value, that protecting it realises our full potential and secures humanity's survival, and that exploiting animals resembles racism.
- By protecting and nourishing the environment, we are realising our full potential
- Discriminating against animals is akin to racism
- The planet is the only thing with intrinsic value
- Every other animal cares for the environment, so should we
- Caring for the environment will ensure the longevity of the human race
Yes, religion tells us to care for the environment
This position holds that religion commands care for the environment, via the 'stewardship' view: God made humans caretakers of creation, giving them a duty to protect it. It draws on Genesis — Adam and Eve told to 'work it and take care of it' — and on figures like Pope John Paul II.
No, human superiority allows us to use the environment for its instrumental value
This position holds that human superiority entitles us to use the environment for its instrumental value to us. It argues that, because only humans are capable of reason, the natural world holds no value in itself beyond what it offers human ends.
No, religion tells us that we should use the environment for its instrumental value
This position holds that religion licenses using the environment for our own ends, via the 'dominion' view. It argues that God made humans superior to the rest of creation, granting them supremacy over the natural world — so the environment exists for its instrumental value to people.