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A Philosopher Defines Essence
of Environmentalism
by Glenn Woiceshyn
Published in the May 1993 edition of The Catalyst--a
Univ. Of Calgary publication.
Dear Editor,
Re: "Whither the Weather"--by S. McArthur--Winter 93--The Catalyst
When I first heard about philosophy professor Thomas Hurka's involvement in "Ethics
and Climate Change," (shamefully) funded by Shell Canada Ltd., I predicted a
utilitarian approach whereby certain ecological elite will dictate who will be sacrificed
to whom in achieving their interpretation of the "greatest good for the greatest
number." However, I was even more horrified by Prof. Hurka's inclusion of an
alternate ethical principle that, if fully practiced, would wipe out humanity.
"Plants and animals and all of nature valued for themselves and not for their
usefulness to humans" may sound harmless to some until they ask what it would
mean in practice. In practice, humans would have to commit mass suicide since even
eating food or inoculating against deadly viruses would constitute a serious moral
crime.
Since most species survive by exploiting other species, why discriminate against
humans? The answer, of course, is that only humans can be expected to understand
this principle, so welcome back to the Garden of Eden where the human mind is the
root of man's "Original Sin."
Although Prof. Hurka doesn't openly advocate this particular principle (known as
the "intrinsic value" of pristine nature) to include it without the condemnation
it deserves is truly horrifying.
Sincerely,
Glenn Woiceshyn
© 1997 Glenn Woiceshyn. All rights reserved.
This article can be found on-line at at http://www.capitalism.org/glennw. |
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