This is a question posed by my Environmental Ethics teacher:
Characteristics for Moral Consideration Discussion
What do you feel should be required for an item of nature (humans included) to deserve moral consideration? Post your criteria as a response to this message. Also, take some time to read and respond to the ideas posted by your classmates.
Well, knowing that each of us has such varying positions on this subject, I can feel comfortable expressing my opinion too. I have a Judeo-Christian framework from which I build my beliefs, ideas, and opinions. I also recognize that just because others may have the same framework, that does not grantee that they will agree with my views. With that said, I respect each person’s opinion because two people cannot stand in the same shoes at the same time (each person has the right to believe what they wish).
First, I believe each human (determined by DNA) has God given rights, the same rights that extend to all of humanity. Being moral agents by nature (as designed), and being fearfully and wonderfully made, every individual is owed respect regardless of global origin, skin tone, language, size, sex, abilities, financial status, or any levels of perfection (because no one is perfect). Furthermore, just because a person may not hold to this view that does not give me the right to exclude them from the rights owed them. This is why moral consideration should be extended to only one race; the human race.
Now, humans as stewards. Because all things have been given to us, we all have the important task of caring for our entire environment with respect (as we would a gift, or something on lone). The world is not ours to trash at will.
Concerning animals; commonsense tells us that torturing or mutilating other life forms is wrong. Therefore, killing or destroying just for the sake of pleasure must be discouraged. However, as animals are on the food chain of other animals (and predators do not consider their prey in any moral sense), I do not find any wrong doing with proper farming, hunting and eating of animals.
Concerning animal habitats (deforesting); we need to find balance with:
- Caring for every species (for they are a work of the Master craftsmen) with preserving environmental balance (this means balance in keeping disease and parasitical element at bay when they pose a threat to human and environmental preservation).
- Harvesting resources and replenishing those resources (tree farming).
- Managing these resources with economic trends.
- Minimizing pollution.
- Preserving resources because it is the most responsible thing to do for generations that follow, and the respectful thing to do for our gift called the environment.
