We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
Introduction: the place of environmental philosophy and its basic concepts
Is a whale no more intrinsically valuable than a pig, a fox or a kangaroo?
It is considered humane in some situations to kill an animal to put it out of its misery. Reflect on why there is much more controversy about the mercy killing of human beings.
It is said by some writers that people have no right to pollute the planet, but that equally people have the right to a decent life and to the means of subsistence. Is there any conflict between these two claims?
Do you think the notion of dignity can be applied to animals or plants? If so, explain what it means in your imagined context. If not, explain why only humans can have dignity.
Future generations: what consideration do we owe them?
Vegetarians, vegans, cyclists and in general people who restrain their energy and material consumptions often claim that their lifestyles are better for the environment than those of meateaters, carusers and average consumers. Do you think people without children are likewise justified in claiming that their lifestyles, as people without children, are better for the environment than those of people with children? Do you think sacrificing your opportunity to have children is a virtuous way to do good to the environment? Why or why not?
[…]
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.
