Humankind is part of the world, and we significantly affect 2.
Biocentrism
our environment in the same way that changes in our
environment affect us.
How does philosophy define the person’s relationship
with the environment?
Environmental Philosophy or Environmental Ethics
- the discipline in philosophy that studies the moral
relationship of human beings with the environment and
its non- human contents.
Discuss:
1. Look around your community and school. Can you see
evidence of changes in the environment caused by
people? Describe these changes.
Discuss:
1. Look around your community and school. Can you see
evidence of changes in the environment caused by
people? Describe these changes.
2. Can you see evidence of people adapting their
activities to your school or local environment?
3. Which part of your community or school do you
consider most orderly?
Which part is most disorderly?
4. How is pollution affected your health and well- being?
How it affected the well- being of your family and the
community?
The three (3) major views regarding the relationship
between humanity and the environment:
1. Anthroponcentrism
 Focuses on the significant role of humankind in
the world and consider nature as the means by
which humans are able to meet their needs and
survive.
 Believes that humans are not the only
significant species on the planet and that all
organisms have inherent value and should be
protected.
3. Ecocentrism
 Places great value on ecosystems and biological
communities.
Environmental Aesthetics
-one philosophical view believes that maintaining order
in the environment will bring out the natural beauty of
the surroundings and contribute to the well-being of the
people and other organisms living in it.
How can humanity address the damage inflicted on the
environment?
Environmentalism- the perspective that advocates to
address the growing environmental problems.
 Discusses environmental problems caused by
human activities and social issues that impact
the environment.
 Serves as a basis for reflecting on how our
actions show our regard for nature.
 Also guides us in upholding the welfare of the
environment and everything on it.
 Encourages governments, institutions,
organizations and corporations to commit to
responsible action for the environment.
Environmental Ethics – is a moral approach that analyzes
the relationship between humans and the environment.
 Emerged in the 1970s, advocating human
responsibility and action with regard to
environmental issues.

It’s main ideas are the following:
 All nonhuman elements of the world, including
animals and natural resources, have intrinsic
value and should be preserved.
 Preservation of the environment will benefit
humans by providing for the needs of present
and future generations.
 Humankind has a responsibility to safeguard the
planet as stewards of creation.
Environmental Ethics has resulted in the development of
varied views:
Social Ecology
- applies an ecological and ethical approach in analyzing
society and sees a relationship between social and
environmental problems.
 Society should implement changes in order to
address issues regarding the environment.
Environmental justice- refers to fair distribution of
environmental benefits as well as the burden of
meeting environmental challenges.
Kyoto Protocol in 1997- a significant development where 3. A local official led a campaign to set aside several
various nations commi-
tted to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order
to curb global warming.
- instituted Earth Day celebration
Earth Day- is a global effort to raise awareness of
environmental issues and inspire action among
communities.
The Philippines is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and
our government has enacted law to adress
environmental
problems that contribute to global warming such as
:
1. Clean Air Act of 1999
2. Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and
3. Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act
THINK
Analyze the ff. situations and determine which of them
show the right or moral choice with regard to the
environment.
Discuss your thoughts in class:
1. A mining corporation decided to save costs and did
not construct an effective storing facility for mining
waste. The improperly stored waste leaked and polluted
the
nearby river, poisoned marine life and caused people in
the nearby village to get sick.
2. A businessman bought a large piece of farmland and
decided to convert it into a subdivision. During the
construction, hundreds
of trees were uprooted and streams were covered in
cement.
hectares of forested land in their city as watershed area.
This area was declared
Off- limits to loggers and miners.
4. An animal shelter partnered with the local
government to conduct free vaccination drives
for pets. The shelter also coordinates with local police to
address cases involving animal cruelty.
Sustainability- a concept focuses on reconciling human
activities and economic development with the
protection of the environment.
3 Important Principles:

1. Environmental integrity

- Refers to maintaining the state of the environment.

-means human activities should not unduly disrupt the
ecosystems and human

Communities located in the are.

2. Economic Efficiency

- Refers to the prudence in decision-making regarding

the use of resources to ensure that there is minimum to
zero waste

3. Equity- demands the use of natural resources in such a

manner that these are conserved so that the next
generation will be

able to use them. The values of prudence and frugality

can guide us in our own personal use of resources.

Prudence- the ability to regulate one’s actions and

behavior.

Frugality- is being thrifty with the use on one’s

resources.