IAH 204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 37: Biocoenosis, Land Ethic, Ecocentrism
18 Jul 2019
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Document Summary
It is the biotic community itself that has intrinsic value and, hence, moral standing. Peoples value is derived from their role in the ecosystems. Based upon two varieties of holism found in the science of ecology : epistemological holism and metaphysical holism. We can gain an understanding of the individual members of a biotic community only if we understand their roles in the community. The biotic community should be regarded as a distinct kind of thing over and above its individual members. Leopold suggests that "the land" is to be regarded as a living thing and it is our responsibility to care for its health. Nothing morally wrong with using animals as resources if it doesn"t undermine the good of biotic communities. Often nothing wrong with using animals for food, as research subjects, or for recreation. Herbicides, and pesticides is wrong and contributes to global warming. View that borrows from philosophy, ecology, religion, mysticism.
