What are the strengths of Shallow Ecology (4)
highly pragmatic
secular, doesn’t rely on divine origin of scripture
cost/benefit analysis shows actions now will have large rewards, Thames Barrier, protecting London from floods
approach is used at international climate as it appeals to countries self interests
What are the weaknesses of Shallow Ecology (2)
doesn’t accord any intrinsic value to the Earth
if environmental damage were to occur that did not impact humans, such as an impending extinction of an animal by human activity, it would not need to be acted upon because the animal itself doesn’t have moral value
What does Brennan say about people who believe in anthropocentrism and what is his evidence
they are more likely to have un environmental attitudes
he says that LATAM farmers who use the land for their economic livelihoods actually farm more sustainably than other communities who worship and value nature
What does De-Shalit suggest about non - anthropocentric attitudes
De - Shalit suggests that non - anthropocentric attitudes are misled in their approach to the environment because it does not appeal to most people and therefore it will not motivate others to act on environmental issues
What does De- Shalit say about conservation ethics
He suggests that the use of conservation ethics and its appeals to self-interest at international climate change negotiations suggest that an anthropocentric attitude is the most pragmatic in protecting the environment
How would Deep Ecologists counter De- Shalit’s view on anthropocentrism
They would argue that such an approach cannot go far enough in the extent of its care for the environment
What are the strengths of Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis (3)
Challenges anthropocentric understandings of the Earth because it suggests that humans are not the most important species
It is secular and is opposed to Darwinism and evolution
Emphasises not the rights of humans but the interdependence of all ecosystems and sees the environment as a whole entity.
What are the weaknesses of Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis (2)
In his recent book, Lovelock is more pessimistic about the ability of the planet to respond to climate change and self- regulate
Peter Singer has criticised the idea of Gaia, arguing that it is wrong to attribute the idea of intrinsic value to a non-sentient being
