Environment

Intro to
Philosop
B y d a n V i n c e n t w.
mapalo
HUMAN PERSON
A human person is a living being that contains a real and existing to direct its own
development toward fulfilment through perfect, unconditional, and infinite truth, love,
goodness, beauty, and unity, and will do so if all the proper conditions are met. (Spitzer
1999)

ENVIRONMENT
It is the sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and
other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of
danger and damage. (Endriga 2017)

This means that as human person, we interact not only with our fellow human beings, but
also with other living and non-living elements in our environment. Like other sciences,
philosophy also seeks to explore the relationship between humanity and the environment
through environmental philosophy or environmental ethics.
The Three Main Paradigms:
Deep Ecology
– is a contemporary ecological philosophy. Proponents were
disillusioned with existing modes of depletion of natural resources and
the heavy pollution they cause. It emerged as a reaction to this shallow
ecological point of view. It also recognizes an inherent worth/intrinsic
value of other beings aside from their utility. It emphasizes the
interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and that if
ecosystems with each other within the biosphere (Arne Naes-1970s)
Social Ecology
– is an offshoot of the movement against domination of existing
hierarchical structures in society that pre-empt the development of the
full nature of an individual. Bookchin (2011), on his article ecological
problem states that our present ecological problems cannot be clearly
understood, much less resolved, without resolutely dealing with problems
within society. (BookChin 2011)
Ecofeminism
– is a reaction against male domination and the corresponding
oppression of women, there is superiority and subordination. On
ecofeminism men are assumed to be superior to women and nature,
which result domination and exploitation. As we try to link feminism with
ecology, it seeks to eradicate all the forms of social injustice, not just
injustice against women and the environment. Ecofeminism believes that
a society characterized by a mentality that tolerates the oppression of
women is directly linked with its tendency to tolerate abuse of the
environment and the degradation of nature. (Vinzsons 2016)
NOTES TO REMEMBER:
1. The human person is a living being that can transform things in a way that can suit
them.
2. Environment is the totality of what surrounds us.
3. Environment philosophy is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with the natural
environment and humanity’s place in it. It deals with issues concerning humanity’s
role in the world, the interaction between the nature and humans, and human
response to environmental challenges.
4. Deep Ecology refers to the controlling attitude of humankind is extended to nature,
when in fact, humanity is part of nature.
5. Destroying nature is a reflection wherein few people overpower others while
exploiting the environment for profit or self-interest can be seen on social ecology.
6. Ecofeminism relates to whatever is “superior” is entitled to whatever is “inferior.
7. Aesthetic nature refers to an organize nature. No harm and no damages, which human
person must be responsible.
Environmental Ethics
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS as defined by Abella (2016), is a moral
approach that analyses the relationship between humans and the
environment. He further adds that environmental ethics discuss
environmental problems caused by human activities and social issues that
impact the environment and that environmental ethics serves as a basis
for reflecting on how our actions show our regard for nature and it also
guides us in upholding the welfare of the environment and everything in
it. 20 Human has its direct effect on our surrounding, thus, create our
direct responsibility to care on our immediate surroundings.

Abella (2016), presented the three major views regarding the relationship
between humanity and the environment, namely:
1. ANTHROPOCENTRISM – focuses on the significant role of humankind in the world
and considers nature as the means by which humans are able to meet their needs
and survive. This view believes that humans are the most important species on
the planet and they are free to transform nature and use its resources. (Abella
2016)

2. BIOCENTRISM – believes that humans are not the only significant species on the
planet, and that all other organisms have inherent value and should be protected.
This view advocates ethical treatment of animals. (Abella 2016)

3. ECOCENTRISM – places great value on ecosystems and biological communities.

This view believes that humankind is a part of a greater biological system or
community and that we have a significant role as stewards or guardians of nature.
This view promotes the idea that order and balance in nature brings about
stability and beauty. (Abella 2016)
To understand more the influence of humanity on the environment, we need to
consider that the individual person is a dynamic source of change within his
environment and that his actions can directly affect his surroundings.

If we fail to do our part in protecting the environment, we might experience different

catastrophe. Here are the following different environmental problems:

1. AIR POLLUTION refers to the contamination of the air in the atmosphere, (Veetil
2012).
2. WATER POLLUTION is caused by oil spill, acid rain and other hazardous chemicals
that mixed with water, (SEPA 2012).
3. ACID RAIN occurs when the harmful gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides
are released into the atmosphere through burning of fossil fuels and combustion
of vehicle engines. (US-EPA 2017).
4. CLIMATE CHANGE refers to an increase in the average global
temperatures. (climate.nasa.gov 2020) 5.
5. DEFORESTATION is one of the environmental problems which refer to the
cutting of trees for agricultural, industrial, housing or urban use.
(philonotes.com n.d)
6. DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES is the reduction of natural
resources. (philonotes.com n.d)
7. DEPLETION OF OUR OZONE LAYER exhaustion of the ozone layer due to
Hydrochlofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
(US-EPA 2017).
8. WASTE POLLUTION is due to overpopulation, lack of education on waste
management and technological advancement. (philonotes.com n.d)
9. ACIDIFICATION AND INCREASE IN SEA/OCEAN TEMPERATURE, the rapid increase
in sea level and ocean temperature. (philonotes.com n.d)
10. OVERPOPULATION, the problem of overpopulation may give way to the rise of
other environment problems, such as pollution, depletion of natural resources,
shortages of clean water, fuel and food. (philonotes.com n.d)

Despite of the continuous threats we are facing, many of us are still unaware of our
own responsibilities. We fail to recognize that we are too dependent on the
environment. (philonotes.com n.d)

ENVIRONMENTALISM is one of the important developments during the twentieth

century. This perspective advocates to deal with the growing environmental
problems. Philosophy has a significant role in the development of environmental
awareness and action.
 Upholding Environmentalism and Care for Nature
Understanding that there is a necessity to address different environmental
challenges in or environment, philosophers act deliberately to address
environmental problems. According to Abella (2016), environmentalist views
have given rise to varied perspectives regarding the best means for humanity
to act and uphold its mission as stewards of nature.

The major concept that helps in upholding environmentalism and care for
nature is sustainability or sustainable development. Based on Abella (2016),
environmental sustainability is the concept that focuses on reconciling human
activities and economic development with the protection of the environment.
He also added that one of the major ideas of sustainability was that we must
make wise decisions regarding the use of natural resources to ensure that
there is still enough left for future use.
Sustainability relies on the three important principles:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY- means maintaining the state of the
environment, this means that human activities should not unduly disrupt
the ecosystems and human communities located in the area. (Abella 2016)
2. ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY- refers to prudence in decision-making regarding
the use of resources to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste. (Abella
2016)
3. EQUITY- this demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner
that these are conserved so that the next generations will be able to use
them. (Abella 2016)
To guide us in guide us in our own personal use of resources the values of
prudence and frugality can be used:
4. PRUDENCE- is the ability to regulate one’s actions and behavior. (Abella
2016)
5. FRUGALITY- is being thrifty with the use of one’s resources. (Abella 2016)
NOTES TO REMEMBER
1. Philosophers believe that human beings have a special relationship with our nature
since we are rational being. We are not only part of nature, but we can shape,
transform, and cultivate it which can also means that we can inflict the most harm
on it.
2. Three Major Philosophical views regarding the person’s relationship with nature
include anthropocentrism, biocentrism, and ecocentrism.
3. Human activities have a significant impact on the environment. Thus, resulted to
climate change which is one of the most environmental issues we face today.
4. Environmentalism is a point of view that promotes action to address our growing
environmental problems.
5. Sustainability or sustainable development is a concept that advocates the wise and
efficient use of natural resources. Sustainability relies on the three important
principles: environmental integrity, economic efficiency, and equity.
6. The values of prudence and frugality can guide us in our own personal use of
resources. Prudence is the ability to regulate one’s actions and behavior and
frugality is being thrifty with the use of one’s resources.