Ethical Frameworks (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Ethical Frameworks

• Ethical frameworks are structures of thought that help people make moral decisions

  • In other words, they are a bit like guidelines for making decisions about what is right or wrong

• There are different ethical frameworks relating to the environment because there are different fundamental beliefs about the relationship between humans and nature

Ecocentrism

• If an individual or a society believes that the human species is not significantly different to the rest of nature, this may lead to a more ecocentric position

• Central belief of ecocentrism: humans are not fundamentally different from nature

  • We are a part of nature—we are not above it

• Ecocentrists believe that all components of nature have intrinsic and equal rights

• They believe that ethical judgments should be made based on this equality

• For example, the environmental movement advocates for the complete protection of ecosystems and wildlife habitats, such as rainforests or coral reefs

  • E.g. prioritising the establishment of national parks and reserves to protect biodiversity

Stewardship

• Central belief of environmental stewardship: humans are part of nature but have a special responsibility to care for it

• This ethical framework influences ethical judgements in favour of a compassionate, respectful treatment of nature, as well as responsible management

  • We need to be good stewards

• For example, Indigenous communities that preserve natural resources through sustainable practices demonstrate environmental stewardship

• Another example might be recycling and conservation efforts by communities to reduce their environmental impact

Anthropocentrism and technocentrism

• If an individual or a society believes that nature is separate from the human species and is there to serve human needs, this may lead to a more extreme anthropocentric or technocentric worldview

• The central belief of anthropocentrism: nature exists to serve human needs

  • We are above nature

  • We should aim to maximise human development and well-being

• The central belief of technocentrism is that technology and human innovation should be the primary drivers of progress and decision-making

  • We should prioritise technological solutions to environmental and societal challenges over other considerations (such as ecological preservation or ethical concerns about human-nature relationships)

• These worldviews focus on maximising benefits for humans without considering other species

• For example, large-scale deforestation for agricultural expansion prioritises human economic gains over biodiverse ecosystems and the ecological balance they provide to the planet

  • These industrial-scale agriculture practices then lead to soil degradation and further loss of biodiversity