Question 1

Hawken thinks that a certain kind of capitalism can be sustainable and thus ecologically responsible. Do you agree or do you think with several authors in Chapters 10 and 11, that capitalism is, in general, unsustainable? Explain your answer with specific references to those earlier chapters.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hawken thinks that a certain kind of...

Question 2

Hiebert argues that the biblical texts about creation in Genesis 1 and 2 mandate a strong environmental ethic as part of the "human vocation." Critics of this view argue instead that "dominion" inevitably means domination. How might Hiebert respond to such criticism? What would you say to them if asked to explain these texts?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hiebert argues that the biblical texts about...

Question 3

Hiebert argues that human dominion implies human domination and superiority.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Where, according to Shiva, did the development model go wrong?

Accepted Answer

A)  The development model focused exclusively on a model of progress derived from Western industrialized economies 
B)  The development model failed to account for environmental destruction and its insuring poverty 
C)  The development paradigm failed to account for self-provisioning economies 
D)  All of the above

Question 5

Which of the following best describes McKibben's view?

Accepted Answer

A)  If we don't change our conduct, our grandchildren will suffer 
B)  It is too late and nothing significant enough can be done to stop global warming 
C)  We have already done irreparable damage to the planet; however, it's not too late to mediate the effects of global warming 
D)  The damage we have done is irreparable; and there is nothing we can do now

Question 6

Hawken says, "The cornucopia of resources that are being extracted, mined, and harvested is so poorly distributed that 20 percent of the earth's people are chronically hungry or starving, while the top 20 percent of the population, largely in the north, control and consume __________ percent of the world's wealth."

Accepted Answer

A)  50 
B)  60 
C)  70 
D)  80

Question 7

What aspect of this reading is most new or most startling to you? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What aspect of this reading is most...

Question 8

Are you persuaded by the overall argument given by McKibben, as to the problem we face, how we've changed Earth into Eaarth, and what the solutions must be? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Are you persuaded by the overall argument...

Question 9

What do you think Oliver means when she writes that "the world offers itself to your imagination" and that we should be "harsh and exciting," announcing our place "in the family of things"? How do we do this, morally speaking? What do you think she means by "the family of things"? What do you think is your place in the "family of things"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do you think Oliver means when...

Question 10

On balance, do you think that religious texts and teachings provide useful tools for addressing environmental problems and concerns? Why or why not? Is it good to approach nature convinced of the "sacredness" of "creation"? Or does such an attitude confuse or distort what should be a more pragmatic inquiry? Explain and support your answer with specific examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of On balance, do you think that religious...

Question 11

Leopold writes, "All ethics so far evolved rest upon a single premise." What is this premise?

Accepted Answer

A)  That one can be held accountable only for actions that are voluntary 
B)  That is implies ought 
C)  That man is created in the image of God. 
D)  That man is a member of a community

Question 12

Taylor's "biocentric outlook" places nonhuman animals on par with human beings.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Can you think of other scriptural text, such as the Qur'an, that might be seen to support a robust environmental ethics? Which specific passages and imperatives do you have in mind? Are there other possible interpretations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Can you think of other scriptural text,...

Question 14

According to Hiebert, the image that has determined most Christian thought about the human vocation is the image of __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Creation 
B)  Dominion 
C)  Original sin 
D)  Rapture

Question 15

Hawken presents twelve "design strategies" for a sustainable future. Choose for of these strategies, restate them, and assess their feasibility and utility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hawken presents twelve "design strategies" for a...

Question 16

Hiebert notes that the concept of human dominion is often discussed with little attention to the historical context which gave rise to it.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

What does Taylor say about the supposed superiority of humans?

Accepted Answer

A)  Human animals are superior to non-human animals because we possess skills that they lack: the capacity to reason, etc. 
B)  Human animals are superior to non-human animals because only humans possess moral agency. 
C)  Human beings have intrinsic moral worth, whereas non-human animals are valuable only as a means to an end-or end. 
D)  None of the above

Question 18

What is the central thesis of the biocentric view, according to Taylor?

Accepted Answer

A)  Humans are members of the Earth's community of life, as are all non-human members 
B)  The Earth's ecosystem is viewed as a complex web of interconnected elements 
C)  Each organism is viewed as a teleological center of life, pursuing its own good in its own way 
D)  All of the above

Question 19

Oliver says that whoever you are, the world offers itself to your imagination.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Shiva also argues that the impoverishment affects women, children, and the environment more harshly than it does men. Again, summarize her arguments and evidence. Do you find them compelling? Why or why not? If she is correct, how should international policies change to address this issue?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Shiva also argues that the impoverishment affects...

Exam 13: Extending Ethics

Hawken thinks that a certain kind of capitalism can be sustainable and thus ecologically responsible. Do you agree or do you think with several authors in Chapters 10 and 11, that capitalism is, in general, unsustainable? Explain your answer with specific references to those earlier chapters.

Hiebert argues that human dominion implies human domination and superiority.

Where, according to Shiva, did the development model go wrong?

Which of the following best describes McKibben's view?

What aspect of this reading is most new or most startling to you? Why?

Are you persuaded by the overall argument given by McKibben, as to the problem we face, how we've changed Earth into Eaarth, and what the solutions must be? Why or why not?

Leopold writes, "All ethics so far evolved rest upon a single premise." What is this premise?

Taylor's "biocentric outlook" places nonhuman animals on par with human beings.

Can you think of other scriptural text, such as the Qur'an, that might be seen to support a robust environmental ethics? Which specific passages and imperatives do you have in mind? Are there other possible interpretations?

According to Hiebert, the image that has determined most Christian thought about the human vocation is the image of __________.

Hawken presents twelve "design strategies" for a sustainable future. Choose for of these strategies, restate them, and assess their feasibility and utility.

Hiebert notes that the concept of human dominion is often discussed with little attention to the historical context which gave rise to it.

What does Taylor say about the supposed superiority of humans?

What is the central thesis of the biocentric view, according to Taylor?

Oliver says that whoever you are, the world offers itself to your imagination.

Shiva also argues that the impoverishment affects women, children, and the environment more harshly than it does men. Again, summarize her arguments and evidence. Do you find them compelling? Why or why not? If she is correct, how should international policies change to address this issue?