HIST 1F96 Study Guide - Theodore Roosevelt, Rachel Carson, Land Ethic
12 Apr 2014
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Rise of environmental concern: greeks thought of the world as a living goddess, romans held concerns over land degradation and soil erosion, religion and capitalism polarized humans and animals. Anthropocentrism: human-centered view of our place on the planet, our mastery of nature, nature is here for our use (instrumental value) Environmentalism: a social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world (and people) from undesirable changes brought about by human activities. His instincts prompt him to compete for his place in the community, but his ethics prompt him to cooperate. The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants and animals or collectively: the land. In short, a land ethic changes the role of homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such.
