SOC 2080 Chapter : SOC 2080 Course Reader #4.docx
15 Mar 2012
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The land ethic no ethic dealing w/man s relation to land & animals & plants. Land relations are economic, entailing privileges but not obligations. Individual is a member of a community of inter-dependent parts. Land ethic enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soil, plants, water, animals [the land] Land ethic changes homo sapiens from conquer of the land to plain members/citizens of it. Implies respect for fellow members and respect for the community. Conservation is the harmony between man and the land. A system of conservation based solely on economic self-interest is lopsided. Ignores and eliminates many elements in the land community that lack commercial value but are essential for its healthy functioning. Each successive layer depends on those below it for food and other services and in turn furnishes food/services to layers above them. Land is a foundation of energy flowing through the soil, plants and animals. Food chains are living channels that conduct energy upwards.
