Kantian Ethics and Environmental Ethics

Kantian Ethics and Environmental Ethics

1. Generally seen as an anthropocentric theory.

   • Rational nature alone has absolute and conditional value.

2. Kant

   • Believes humans are distinguished from other life by our capacity to reason.
   • Categorical imperative can be applied to the environment in different ways.
     • 'Act only on that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become universal law.'
       • We can make environmental laws if we agree that everyone should follow it.
         • Clearly pollution or exploiting the environment would be illogical and immoral becasuse not everyone could do it.
     • Nature mustn't be treated as a means to an end but an end in itself.
   • Rejects the idea that domestic animals are simply for our benefit and says there are moral limits and rules on how we should use them.
     • Killing animals for food is justifiable but killing them for sport is not.
       • He argued that animals exist to be used but with that privilege comes a duty of care.
   • Believed treating animals or the natural world badly would make us into cruel and callous people.
     • We would then in turn treat each other badly.
     • Cruelty towards animals would not be wrong in its own right but due to consequences on humans, it should be considered intrinsically wrong.
       • A person cannot have good will unless he shows concern for the welfare of non-rational beings and the natural world for its own sake.
   • We have a duty to ourselves to survive and thus exploiting and destroying the environment is immoral - it would damage the chances of humanity surviving.
   • Links aesthetic beauty of the environment to moral goodness.
     • To destroy beauty is illogical and immoral since it is something that rational people when meeting to decide moral laws, would consider a vital part of human existence.

3. Ronald Hepburn

   • Kant's statement 'act so as to treat humanity never only as a means but always also as an end' links to the proper human response to the natural environment.
     • We should view the environment with 'wonder'
       • Kant, according to Hepburn held an awe for the natural world.
     • We should not exploit the natural environment for the needs of humans.

4. Paul Taylor

   • Takes the view that respect for nature is a universal law for all rational beings.
     • However, he wouldn't afford plants and animals moral rights but believed they should have legal rights so they're protected.
     • The concept of 'inherent worth' means nature does have value in and of itself.

5. Criticisms

   • It is logically possible to universalise lack of care for the environment.
   • An anthropocentric approach, all things seem to exist for humanity.
     • Creates a certain arrogance on humans part
   • Kant's theory seems more theoretical than practical.