Deck 16: Environmental Ethics

Question 1

To say that a wilderness has prima facie value means that it must be preserved no matter what the cost to do so.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

According to anthropocentrism,what has intrinsic value?

A) Humans only.
B) Humans and the resources necessary to sustain human life.
C) All intelligent life.
D) The entire ecosystem.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Cost benefit analyses involve both assessments and evaluations.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The word environment comes from an Old French word meaning

A) Nature.
B) Earth.
C) Turning around in.
D) A small boat.

Question 5

Because human interests in a livable environment often compete with other human economic interests,many find cost-benefit analyses useful for judging,weighing,and comparing benefits and costs.

Question 6

How,in Aldo Leopold's ethics,are right actions to be distinguished from wrong ones?

A) Right actions ensure the continuity of the natural world for future generations;wrong actions rob them of that inheritance.
B) Right actions act in such a way that all members of the biotic community could will them simultaneously;wrong actions use some members as means.
C) Right actions tend to preserve the stability and beauty of nature;wrong actions tend to do otherwise.
D) Right actions preserve nature as a productive resource for valuable ends;wrong actions destroy it.

Question 7

Ecocentrists are distinguished by their rejection of the anthropocentric idea that _________.

A) Only humans have intrinsic value.
B) The environment does not matter.
C) Endangered species are of no concern.
D) Global warming is not a true concept.

Question 8

What does a biocentrist/ecocentrist believe?

A) A biocentrist believes that biology,not nurture,is the major determining factor in human development.
B) A biocentrist believes that only biology can supply answers to fundamental problems facing the environment.
C) A biocentrist believes that intrinsic value is not limited to humans
D) A biocentrist believes that biological organisms may have a higher moral status than cyborgs,but they are not as physiologically advanced.

Question 9

Anthropocentrists value nature for its own sake.

Question 10

The essence of the view known as deep ecology is that organisms depend on their environment in many ways.

Question 11

Contrast an anthropocentric and an ecocentric view on deforestation.

Question 12

The old Native American saying,"before you act,consider the consequences on the next seven generations," represents what kind of thinking?

A) Ecocentrism
B) Utilitarianism
C) Anthropocentric
D) Relativistic

Question 13

Deep ecologists and ecofeminists share common views about the proper way to regard nature and the source of our environmental problems.

Question 14

In Deep Ecology,through what means is happiness gained?

A) Through the performance of quiet,real work.
B) Through meditation and deep thought.
C) Through the use of relaxation techniques such as Tai Chi.
D) Through the performance of real work,such as wood chopping.

Question 15

Ecocentrism relies on what form of moral reasoning?

A) Utilitarianism
B) Kantian
C) Relativism
D) Natural law

Question 16

Some ecofeminists believe that the source of our environmental problems lies in our being governed in our relation to nature by the male type of dominance over it.

Question 17

Contrast the basic view of nature of ecocentrists such as Leopold with the mystic idealist views of the transcendentalists.

Question 18

What does it mean for ecocentrists to regard a tree or a fish as a moral patient?

A) It means that we must care for these life forms as a medical doctor cares for patients.
B) It means that we must care for these life forms for their own sake,and not just for the sake of how it might ultimately impact us.
C) It means that we can have indirect,rather than direct duties to these life forms.
D) It means that we must,like physicians,"do no harm" when it comes to these life forms.

Question 19

The article by William Baxter utilized primarily ________ reasoning.

A) Natural law
B) Ecocentric
C) Relativism
D) Anthropocentric