Away MAVE

The Distance Mode of MA in Values and the Environment at Lancaster University

Module Description

NB These materials do not represent the current (05/06) version of this module, and are offered here as only as an additional resource for students of environmental ethics.

Block 1: Introduction and Questions about Value

Brief history of development in thinking about environmental ethics. Introduction to key value questions, including: understandings of intrinsic/instrumental value and anthropocentric/nonanthropocentric value. Discussion of some broadly "anthropocentric" approaches including sustainability and stewardship.

Block 2: Individualist Approaches to Environmental Ethics

"Individualistic" approaches to environmental ethics. First the material focuses on utilitarian animal liberation positions (as characterized by Peter Singer) and deontological positions (as characterized by Tom Regan). Then we move on to look at biocentric positions, starting with the egalitarian approach of Paul Taylor; then looking at hierarchical accounts such as those of Vande Veer and Varner. A range of difficulties with these positions are considered.

Block 3: Holistic Approaches to Environmental Ethics

"Holistic" approaches to environmental ethics. What does holism mean in this context? Why might one want to adopt a holistic environmental ethic? We look at Leopold's classic formulation of the land ethic, and Callicott's adoption of versions of it in subsequent papers (and the problems Callicott's work generates). We consider a range of objections to such holism, and the possibilities for adopting some sort of hybrid approach. This opens up the debate about moral pluralism in environmental ethics. (It should be noted that issues raised in this block are explored further in the unit Land as Community).

Block 4: Deep Ecology and Ecofeminism

This block introduces two key schools in environmental philosophy - both of whom have, in different ways, expressed unease with "mainstream" environmental ethics. We consider deep ecology as formulated by Arne Naess in 1973, and later developments both in his own writing and in that of other deep ecologists. We look at criticisms of deep ecology, especially those expressed by Richard Sylvan. Then we move on to consider ecofeminism, and the criticisms different ecofeminists have offered both of mainstream environmental ethics and deep ecology. We consider alternative ways of going about environmental ethics based on ecofeminist approaches.

Block 5: Working through Key Topics: Wilderness and Urban Environments

We conclude the unit by looking at two specific, and linked, debates within environmental ethics: debates about the nature and value of wilderness and debates about the nature and value of urban environments. What constitutes "wilderness" and why it might be valued are long-standing debates in environmental ethics, whilst questions about the urban are relatively new; but both are central in developing work in environmental ethics.