28 Aug ESS syllabus – part 3
Topic 1- Environmental value system
An ecocentric viewpoint integrates social, spiritual and environmental dimensions into a holistic ideal. It puts ecology and nature as central to humanity and emphasizes a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency of societies. An ecocentric viewpoint prioritizes biorights, emphasizes the importance of education and encourages self-restraint in human behaviour.
• Identify the core values of self-reliance soft ecologists
• Identify the core values of deep ecologists
• Contrast ecocentrists and technocentric philosophies
This is a holistic worldview that is nature centered and respects the rights of nature. Ecocentrics such as deep ecologists put more value on nature than humanity and believe in biorights. (The right of endangered species or landscape to remain undisturbed).
They also wish to have policies to reduce the human impact on the environment which would decrease the population and consume less resources. In summary they believe that:
• The resources are limited so we need to use them carefully
• The Earth is for all species including animals, plants and humans
• There should be minimum disturbance of natural processes
An anthropocentric viewpoint argues that humans must sustainably manage the global system. This might be through the use of taxes, environmental regulation and legislation. Debate would be encouraged to reach a consensual, pragmatic approach to solving environmental problems.
• Identify the core values of anthropocentric viewpoint
• Contrast ecocentrists and anthropocentric philosophies
Anthropocentrism is a viewpoint/theory that is people centered and gives preferences to human beings above all other considerations. So if you believe that the Earth exists for us, humans and we can rightfully benefit as much as we want from the environment then you are anthropocentric. You would also believe that:
• economic growth and resource use can continue as long as improvements are made in legal rights to a minimum level of environmental quality
• compensation arrangements are made satisfactory for people who experience bad environmental and social effects
A technocentric viewpoint argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems. This is a consequence of a largely optimistic view of the role humans can play in improving the lot of humanity. Scientific research is encouraged in order to form policies and to understand how systems can be controlled, manipulated or changed to solve resource depletion. A pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary for society’s improvement.
• Identify the core values of technocetic viewpoints
• Contrast ecocentrists and technocentric philosophies
This means that values are centered on technology and this type of view believes that it can provide solutions to all environmental problems. Similar to anthropocentrism, it is a worldview, which conceives that nature is present to benefit human beings.
A technocentric viewpoint argues that technological developments can provide solutions to environmental problems. This is a consequence of a largely optimistic view of the role humans can play in improving the lot of humanity. Scientific research is encouraged in order to form policies and understand how systems can be controlled, manipulated or exchanged to solve resource depletion. A pro-growth agenda is deemed necessary for society’s improvement.
Category includes: Environmental managers and cornucopians (extreme technocentrists).
There are extremes at either end of this spectrum (for example, deep ecologists–ecocentric to cornucopian–technocentric), but in practice, EVSs vary greatly depending on cultures and time periods, and they rarely fit simply or perfectly into any classification.
• Explain how deep ecologists, soft ecologists, environmental managers, and cornucopians fit into this range of value systems
Soft ecology: self-sufficiency in resource management. Ecological understand a principle for all aspect of living. Shun large scale profit motives for action, for small-scale community orientated schemes.
Deep ecology: a need for spiritual revolution to fix environmental problems is at the core of all environmental issues. Nature is at the center, equal rights for species. (nature before human)
Environmental managers: no radical political agenda but promote working to create change within the existing social and political structures. Current economic growth can be sustained if environmental issues are managed by legal means or political agreement. (believe that the environment can be used if manage properly)
Cornucopians: a perspective that doesn’t really see environmental issues as “problems” as humans have always found a way out of difficulties in the past. New resources and technologies will solve any environmental problems as they are encountered. There is no need for radical agendas, socio-economic or political reform. (don’t care for the environment; human come first)
If you are interested to read and learn even more, please read ESS Syllabus!
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