Question 1

Taylor contrasts "human-centered" and "life-centered" systems of environmental ethics. Describe the differences between these two systems as he describes them and the justifications for each. Which is based on the best reasons? Why?

Accepted Answer

defines a "human-centered" system in the following terms: "human actions affecting the natural environment and its nonhuman inhabitants are right (or wrong) by either of two criteria: they have consequences which are favorable (or unfavorable) to human well-being, or they are consistent (or inconsistent) with the system of norms that protect and implement human rights. From this human-centered standpoint it is to humans and only to humans that all duties are ultimately owed." Taylor contrasts the "human-centered" approach with the "life-centered" approach. The key difference is that in the life-centered approach we have duties that extend beyond our fellow human beings to all living things.
I would argue that Taylor's distinction again presents a False dichotomy-either we base all of decisions on what's best for human beings (completely ignoring all other sentient creation) or we give equal weight to all living things. I would argue that there is room for middle ground here-that we should give nonhuman life some consideration, but not equal consideration.

Question 2

McKibben argues that there is nothing we can do to prevent or mediate the effects of global warming.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

Hawken lists eight objectives necessary to a sustainable commerce. Restate them in your own words. Do you find his model of sustainability appealing and persuasive? Why or why not? Do you think that all these objectives should be pursued? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

lists eight objectives that he takes to be necessary for sustainable commerce: (1) reduce consumption, (2) secure, stable and meaningful employment for everyone, (3) it would be self-actuating rather than regulated, (4) it would honor human nature and market principles, (5) it would be more desirable than our present lives, (6) it would exceed sustainability, (7) it would rely on solar income, and (8) it should be "fund and engaging."

Question 4

Hawken might be seen to offer a "Twelve Step Sobriety Program" of human endeavors on earth. Do you agree that we need to "sober up" from our unsustainable ways of living? Or do you think that we might be closer to sustainability than Hawken thinks? How might our current way of living also provide solutions to the problem of environmental sustainability?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hawken might be seen to offer a...

Question 5

Hiebert's main concern is to contrast two views of the vocation of man within the Christian tradition: man as priest and man as farmer.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Recall the Critical Thinking box that calls attention to the hotel in Dubai where a "refrigerated beach" is created. The authors of this book suggest that there is a difference between accommodating ourselves to a problem and solving it. Discuss this difference. Perhaps it is often difficult to see the distinction. Discuss ways we are responding to environmental problems in this light. Can you identify accommodations and solutions be made?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Recall the Critical Thinking box that calls...

Question 7

What does Leopold identify as the core flaw in a conservation system based wholly on economics?

Accepted Answer

A)   The fact that conservation is not always in business' best interest
B)   The fact that most members of the land-community have no economic value
C)   The fact that ownership is transient, changing hands from one generation to the next.
D)   All of the above

Question 8

Naess takes issue with the term "shallow ecology" in that it insinuates that those who do not jump on the environmentalist bandwagon are "shallow".

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Leopold compares Odysseus' killing of the slave girls with __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Our lack of a land ethics, for just as Odysseus viewed the slave girls as property, we view land as property
B)   The killing of animals raised in factory farming
C)   The consumption of animals raised in factory farming
D)   The inhumane treatment of animals in factory farming

Question 10

Hawken finds it deeply problematic that an average adult can recognize one thousand brand names and logos but fewer than ten local plants.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Taylor argues that human superiority in relation to the rest of nature cannot be affirmed. Do you think that his argument succeeds or fails? Why? What is at stake, and what is the value of claiming the superiority of human beings?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Taylor argues that human superiority in relation...

Question 12

How does Naess characterize "deep" ecology?

Accepted Answer

A)   A view which rejects man as the center of the universe thesis
B)   A view which calls for the equality of all living things
C)   A view which promotes diversity and symbiosis
D)   All of the above

Question 13

Taylor denies that human beings are superior to nonhuman animals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Shiva distinguishes between genuine poverty and culturally perceived poverty.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Shiva argues that development has, for the most people in the poor world, brought environmental degradation and poverty. What evidence and arguments does she marshal in support of this view? Do you find it persuasive? Explain why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Shiva argues that development has, for the...

Question 16

How do you interpret Oliver's view of nature here? Would she agree with Taylor (Reading 101) about value existing in nature rather than being imposed on it? Why or why not? Do you think that we can see such things as love or patience in nature without merely imposing our own values on nature in this way?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do you interpret Oliver's view of...

Question 17

Leopold calls for the development of a "land ethic"-an ethic dealing with man's relation to land.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Why, on Shiva's view, is the conflation of subsistence living with poverty especially troublesome?

Accepted Answer

A)   It breeds Western-style consumerism in third-world countries
B)   It supports a cultural bias known as ethnocentrism whereby people from affluent countries fail to acknowledge the heritage of those in the developing world
C)   It provides false legitimacy to 'poverty-removal" projects which instead removing poverty removes sustainability
D)   All of the above

Question 19

What type of bird does Oliver mention in her poem?

Accepted Answer

A)   Ducks
B)   Doves
C)   Geese
D)   Vultures

Question 20

Hawken argues that the movement for corporate social responsibility, although noble, cannot succeed in addressing environmental degradation, since the problem is primary one of overconsumption.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 13: Extending Ethics

Taylor contrasts "human-centered" and "life-centered" systems of environmental ethics. Describe the differences between these two systems as he describes them and the justifications for each. Which is based on the best reasons? Why?

McKibben argues that there is nothing we can do to prevent or mediate the effects of global warming.

Hawken lists eight objectives necessary to a sustainable commerce. Restate them in your own words. Do you find his model of sustainability appealing and persuasive? Why or why not? Do you think that all these objectives should be pursued? Explain your answer.

Hiebert's main concern is to contrast two views of the vocation of man within the Christian tradition: man as priest and man as farmer.

What does Leopold identify as the core flaw in a conservation system based wholly on economics?

Naess takes issue with the term "shallow ecology" in that it insinuates that those who do not jump on the environmentalist bandwagon are "shallow".

Leopold compares Odysseus' killing of the slave girls with __________.

Hawken finds it deeply problematic that an average adult can recognize one thousand brand names and logos but fewer than ten local plants.

Taylor argues that human superiority in relation to the rest of nature cannot be affirmed. Do you think that his argument succeeds or fails? Why? What is at stake, and what is the value of claiming the superiority of human beings?

How does Naess characterize "deep" ecology?

Taylor denies that human beings are superior to nonhuman animals.

Shiva distinguishes between genuine poverty and culturally perceived poverty.

Shiva argues that development has, for the most people in the poor world, brought environmental degradation and poverty. What evidence and arguments does she marshal in support of this view? Do you find it persuasive? Explain why or why not?

Leopold calls for the development of a "land ethic"-an ethic dealing with man's relation to land.

Why, on Shiva's view, is the conflation of subsistence living with poverty especially troublesome?

What type of bird does Oliver mention in her poem?

Hawken argues that the movement for corporate social responsibility, although noble, cannot succeed in addressing environmental degradation, since the problem is primary one of overconsumption.