Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Natural Law and Environmental Ethics
- Scott A Davison
- idea of human flourishing
can be extended to other
non humans
- even a vacuum
cleaner 'does have an
end that constitutes
its functioning well'
- we should work to support
the environment and other
sentient beings to help them
achieve their natural
purpose and flourish
- this is consistent with the view that
part of our own flourishing involves
doing actions that are altruistic
- Donnelly and Bishop
- Wrote in 'Natural Law and Ecocentrism'
- Made a distinction between new and
traditional natural law.
- Traditional natural law encourages
ecocentrism because it questions how
humans are related to nature.
- We have a biological, ascetic and emotional
relationship with the environment which is
fundamental to what it means to be human.
- Our natural capacity to witness and intervene in
environmental damage shows that 'these
capabilities belong to our nature; and therefore
it is in our nature to act upon environmental
damage.
- In its traditional form, has views similar to Christianity.
- Essentially anthropocentric
- Focus on human flourishing and achieving our telos.
- Aquinas
- Saw animals as existing for the benefit of humans,
- Although the natural world has its own
telos, natural law still gives most value
to human life.
- Still possible to apply primary precepts to the
environment
- They are universal and so provide a
framework for all people and
cultures.
- The precept of worshipping God suggests we
should give value to the environment and
creation.
- We also share many precepts with other
animals such as reproduction, education,
and preservation of life.
- Criticisms
- Donnelly and Bishop criticise Aquinas' theory for
being too anthropocentric; it doesn't give the
environment intrinsic value
- Natural Law is just a theory that lacks the
tools to turn any theory into practice.
- D & B argue that both new Natural Law and
Aquinas' theory lack any practical method of
calculating what to do to solve environmental
problems.
- Elizabeth Theokritoff
- Sees in nature a bond between
Creation and the Creator which
needs to be restored to reunite
the created order.
- An orthodox idea that develops
Aristotle's idea that Creation works
harmoniously.