This is a handbook on environmental ethics for students. It is a simple guide that introduces the students to some of the topical issues in environment philosophy. With this guide, students will now be spurred to read the major texts and authors in environmental ethics that have been referenced in the text. Students and teachers in environmental science, philosophy, African philosophy, and ethics will find this handbook very useful.
The significance of evolving perspectives for environmental sustainability cannot be overemphasized. This is as a result of the damning consequences that environmental challenges are posing to the entire ecosystem. The African continent is not spared of the severe consequences that have come with an unhealthy relationship with the environment. This discourse seeks to undertake an exposition of the different African perspectives on the best form of relationship between humans and the environment. Pursuant to the fact that anthropocentric approaches have been held responsible for the many environmental crises evident today, perspectives from African environmental philosophers have proven to provide non-anthropocentric alternatives. Using the exploratory approach, this work examines African environmental models, namely, nature-relatedness, eco-bio-communitarianism, ecology through Ubuntu and the ukama theory.
The paper concludes that there is need for an eclectic model that will build on the strengths of the various perspectives, since they all emphasize the communalist view that perfectly exemplifies traditional African worldview.
Table of Contents
Chapter One: African Perspectives on Environmental Ethics
Chapter Two: Environmental Sustainability and Development in Africa
Chapter Three: Ethics, Environment, Philosophy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria
Chapter Four: A Critical Exposition of John Passmore’s Environmental Philosophy
Objectives & Topics
This work explores various philosophical frameworks and traditional African wisdom to address the growing environmental crises caused by human activities. The primary research goal is to identify and synthesize an "eclectic" ethical model that promotes sustainable development by balancing human needs with the well-being of the broader ecosystem.
- Analysis of African environmental models (nature-relatedness, Ubuntu, ukama).
- Critique of anthropocentric versus non-anthropocentric environmental approaches.
- Integration of traditional African proverbs as a basis for environmental conservation.
- Application of Western ethical theories (Platonism, Hedonism, Teleologism, Deontologism) in the African context.
- Critical exposition of John Passmore’s anthropocentric environmental philosophy.
Excerpt from the Book
Conceptualizing “Egbe Bere Ugo Bere”
”Egbe bere ugo bere” is a maxim or a proverb by the Igbo speaking people of eastern Nigeria. It represents an aspect of their world view especially their communal spirit. This maxim or proverb is a combination of three words, namely, “Egbe” “bere” and “ugo” which means “eagle”, “perch” and “kite”. Thus, as a maxim or proverbial expression it is literally translated to mean, “Live and let live”. For a clearer understanding of the maxim, it is usually better to state it in its complete proverbial rendition - “egbe bere ugo bere, nke si ibeya ebela, Nku kwaa ya”. This is translated to mean; “let the eagle perch and let the kite perch, any one that begrudges the other form perching, let its wings break”. The implication of this proverb for the Igbo traditional thought system, is that, the world is a large place that can accommodate everyone; therefore, no person or group should deny the other the right to existence. It is a principle that propagates harmonious co-existence between and among existent entities, groups, peoples of different tongues, languages, tribes, race, specie etc.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter One: African Perspectives on Environmental Ethics: This chapter examines indigenous African philosophical models such as the ukama theory and eco-bio-communitarianism to propose a non-anthropocentric alternative for environmental protection.
Chapter Two: Environmental Sustainability and Development in Africa: The chapter utilizes the Igbo proverb "Egbe bere ugo bere" to advocate for a symbiotic and balanced relationship between humans and the non-human elements of the environment.
Chapter Three: Ethics, Environment, Philosophy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: This section evaluates traditional ethical theories, including Platonism and Hedonism, proposing an "environmental eclecticism" that harvests positive aspects from each to ensure sustainable progress.
Chapter Four: A Critical Exposition of John Passmore’s Environmental Philosophy: The final chapter provides a rigorous critique of Passmore's anthropocentric environmentalism while acknowledging his significant contributions to the philosophical discussion of human responsibility towards the biosphere.
Keywords
Environmental ethics, African philosophy, Sustainability, Environmental conservation, Anthropocentrism, Ubuntu, Ukama, Eclecticism, Ecological crisis, Sustainable development, John Passmore, Moral obligation, Ecosystem, Nature-relatedness, Igbo worldview
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
The book broadly addresses the intersection of philosophical ethics and environmental management, specifically within the African context, to tackle ecological degradation.
What are the primary central themes of the work?
The central themes include the search for sustainable development models, the critique of human-centered (anthropocentric) exploitation of nature, and the synthesis of indigenous and modern ethical theories.
What is the primary goal of the author's research?
The goal is to develop an "eclectic" framework that provides a practical, ethical guide for Africans to achieve environmental sustainability while respecting established cultural and moral insights.
Which scientific or philosophical methods does the author employ?
The author uses philosophical methods such as critical analysis, conceptual clarification, exploration, and deduction to examine the tenets of various ethical theories concerning the environment.
What does the main body of the text examine?
It covers traditional African models like Ubuntu and the Ukama theory, as well as an analysis of Western theories like Platonism and Hedonism, eventually offering a critique of John Passmore's work.
Which keywords best characterize this academic work?
Key terms include Environmental Ethics, African Philosophy, Sustainability, Eclecticism, Environmental Conservation, and Anthropocentrism.
How does the "Egbe bere ugo bere" proverb inform the author's environmental theory?
The author uses this proverb as a foundational principle of mutual co-existence and justice, serving as a restorative model for the relationship between human and non-human entities in the ecosystem.
In what way does John Passmore's philosophy contrast with the author's proposed model?
While the author advocates for a balanced, interdependent, and often non-anthropocentric view, the author critiques Passmore for strictly adhering to an anthropocentric perspective that fundamentally prioritizes human interests over the intrinsic value of nature.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Maduka Enyimba (Autor:in), 2023, Topics on Environmental Ethics, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1435725
