John Donne: “No man is an island,

entire of itself; every man is a

piece of the continent, a part of
the main.”
 ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY
• 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.
• Humankind is a part of the world, and we significantly affect our
environment in the same way that changes in our environment affect us.
• Environment philosophy is the discipline that studies the moral
relationship of human beings with the environment and its non-human
contents.
• Philosophers believe that the human person has the ability to change the
environment to suit his purposes.
 ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY
• It is in an orderly environment where human persons thrive best. Disorders give rise to
several problems and challenges for humankind.
• As a rational being, the person is not only capable of transforming the world, but also of
understanding the laws which govern nature. It can be said that the world is a text which
the person can read and understand in order to live a better life. He may treat it as:
1. A source of raw materials to be used in any way he pleases
2. As something that envelops and surround him, and thus have a unique
relationship with it
• This means that persons can help environment become greater than what it originally is
 THREE MAJOR VIEWS
• 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.

• 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
 • 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.

 The influence of humanity on the environment can be best understood

if we consider the individual person as a dynamic source of change
within his particular environment.
 ENVIRONMENTAL AESTHETICS

• Philosophical view that believes maintaining order in the

environment will bring out the natural beauty of the surroundings
and contribute to the well-being of the people and other
organisms living in it.
• The appreciation of natural beauty brings about the concern for
the environment and helps people relate more effectively with
nature.
 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
• This is a moral approach that analyzes the relationship between humans and
the environment. It also discusses environmental problems caused by human
activities and social issues that impact the environment.
• It serves as a basis for reflecting on how our actions show our regard for
nature. It also guides us in upholding the welfare of the environment and
everything in it.

• As persons, it is our responsibility to start with our own actions and how they
affect our immediate surroundings.
 ENVIRONMENTALISM
• This perspective advocates to address the growing environmental problems. It has
become an important issue in international politics as governments and international
organizations have devoted efforts to discuss environmental issues and formulate plans
to address them (Kyoto Protocol in 1997, where various nations committed t reduce
their greenhouse gas emissions in order to curb global warming; and the celebration of
Earth Day, first instituted in 1970, a global effort to raise awareness of issues and inspire
action among communities).
 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• This concept focuses on reconciling human activities and economic
development with the protection of the environment.
Major ideas:
1. We must make wise decisions regarding the use of natural resources to
ensure that there is still enough left for future use.
2. The misuse of resources often means that other people do not get to benefit
from it.
 PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental integrity – refers to maintaining the state of the environment.

• This means that human activities should not unduly disrupt the
ecosystems and human communities located in the area
• Care should be taken that the surrounding landscape is not drastically
impacted by human activities.
• Economic efficiency – refers to prudence in decision-making regarding the
use of resources to ensure that there is minimum to zero waste.

• Equity – demands that we use our natural resources in such a manner that
these are conserved so that the next generation will be able to use them.

 Prudence is the ability to regulate one’s actions and behavior

 Frugality is being thrifty with the use of one’s resources
• As human persons, it is our responsibility to treat with
respect not only our fellow humans, but also everything
in our world. Upholding environmentalism and
sustainability will enable us to take the first steps in
addressing environmental issues and contribute to
solving the greater environmental challenge of climate
change.
 THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
CRISIS
The many possible causes of the environmental crisis can be broadly
classified into four types:

FOUR TYPES

PHYSICAL
LEGAL
SOCIOECONOMIC
ATTITUDINAL
 PHYSICAL CAUSES
• Refers to those causes that can in principle be studied by
the sciences. They are, in this regard, observable and
quantifiable, and their processes are governed by the
deterministic laws of nature.

• Physical causes can either be natural or

human – induced.
 NATURAL PHYSICAL CAUSES
• The occurrence of natural physical causes is brought about solely by the
process of nature. This means that they happen independently of any human
intervention or regardless of any human action.

Examples:
earthquakes tsunamis Dry seasons
forest fires Volcanic eruptions pests

HUMAN INDUCED TYPE OF PHYSICAL CAUSES

• The occurrence of this is something that we can prevent.
 LEGAL CAUSES
• Includes existing laws of the land that have something to do with
the environment.

• Also include the absence of laws that would effectively punish those
violating existing environmental laws, especially those occupying
positions of power such as public officials and private corporations.

• The legal causes of the environmental crisis, in this consideration,

thus generally refer to those causes of the crisis, in this
consideration, thus generally refer to those causes of the crisis that
are within the control of the government.
 SOCIOECONOMIC CAUSES
• Are factors that are brought about by social arrangements and the
economic status of human persons.

• Such causes include over-population, which naturally results in the

competition over limited resources, which in turn contributes to
the depletion of these resources. They also include poverty.

• For because of poverty, people most often prefer cheap but non –
environment – friendly products and practices over expensive but
non – environment – friendly practices.
 ATTITUDINAL CAUSES
• This refer to the beliefs and values held by humans about nature that allow
them or make it permissible for them to cause damages to the natural
environment.

• Example of these beliefs are the following: that natural resources are there
simply for human consumption or to satisfy human interests; that only humans
can be recipients of moral duties; that natural resources are inexhaustible or
are unlimited (some call this belief Frontierism), and that we are only
responsible for those parts of nature that are owned by humans or are
governed by property rights of nature that are owned by humans or a re
governed by property rights of humans.
In her book, Resurgence of the Real (1997, 219 – 220), Charlene Spretnak identifies
the following values and beliefs that support the industrial and agricultural practices
that exploit people and the environment (quotes in Coates 2003):

 This belief that economic well – being is primary and will bring about well –
being in all other areas.

 The belief that the human condition will gradually improve through abundance.
Included with this belief is an unquestioned trust that technology will solve all
human problems.
 The belief that mass – production and rationally designed institutions and
programs are the best way to perfect human society and achieve the abundance
needed to sustain human consumption.

 The belief that well – being is achieved through abundance and consumption. The
unquestioned acceptance of advertising and the near religious dedication attached to
shopping in “Western” societies is the product of “the relentless advertising campaigns
designed to convince the society that there is neither peace nor joy, neither salvation nor
paradise, except through heightened consumption.” (Berry, 1998, 116)