Write short notes on Sentient – Centered Ethics, Bio – Centric Ethics, Ecocentric
Ethics and Human – Centered Environmental Ethics. Sentient – Centered Ethics
Sentient animals are those which feel pain and pleasure. This version of Nature-centered ethics is advanced by some utilitarians, notably Peter Singer, who says that right action maximizing good for all should include sentient animals as well as humans. Failure to do so leads discrimination like racism, which is known as ‘Speciesism’. There is always a dispute as to whether the inherent worth of animals can be equated to human beings or not.
Bio – Centric Ethics
This regards all living organisms as having inherent worth. We should live with the virtue of ‘reverence to life’, as set forth by Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965). This will enable us to take decisions about when life can be sacrificed.
Eco centric Ethics
This locates inherent worth in Ecological systems and this approach is different from the other two, as it is not individualistic. This is voiced by Aldo Leopold (1887-1948). There is another view that ecocentric ethic does not replace socially generated human-oriented duties to family, neighbor’s and humanity
Human – Centered Environmental Ethics
This is an extension of ethical theories to combat threats to human beings presented by the destruction of nature.