1

Introduction to Philosophy: Man and Nature (Week 7-8)

Note: answer all activity from activity 1-3
Activity 1: Compose an essay consisting of 2-3 paragraphs that Criteria for activity 1:
showcase your awe and wonder to nature’s beauty. Relive the Creativity 15pts: Uses different
moment where you experienced the beauty of nature (look back on tools and techniques to convey the
your summer vacation, field trip or any experience that made you message.
stop and think about the magnificence of nature.). Describe the place, Language 15pts: Showcase
your emotions and feelings etc. You may also post the picture of the excellent choice of words and uses
place if want to (optional only) or you can use other resources to figurative speech to communicate
convey your message. the content.
Relevance 20pts: overall content is
Nature is the best thing that God created on earth. It is a relevant to the task assigned to
phenomenon of the physical world collectively, including plants, them.
animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as
opposed to humans or human creations. Keeping in touch with nature
makes me calm and at peace. The beautiful scenery that I always see, it’s
like an ethereal moment in my life.
I remembered when I was always walking with my friends after school and sometimes going to my friend's house, I
always stopped for a moment while looking at the sky. I tell my friends how beautiful the sunset is. Sunset was the best and
most beautiful scenery I always see. Every moment that I look at it, I’m thinking about how God created this thing. I also
appreciated the flowers that I see in the streets. Sometimes, I pick them up and give it to my friends and say "Look at this
flower! Its beautiful right?" That’s why having nature with us makes our life beautiful in every simple thing.
Lesson proper: Human Beings Approaches to Environment
1. Instrumental Approach: In this approach to environment, protection to environment stems on the idea that nature is
valuable solely because it has instrumental value. Instrumental value pertains to valuation of things in relation to its
usefulness; something is good if it has use, something is good if it has practical use. Hence, in this line of reasoning,
nature is only valued because it has practical use and its resources are beneficial in numerous ways. This
environmental perspective does not see the intrinsic value of nature.
2. Anthropological Approach: the primary concern of this approach is to unveil his/her being as human or what
human beings ought to be. The need to protect and preserve the environment is rooted in man’s selfish desire to be a
complete “being”. Nature is nurtured in for the purpose of realizing man’s need and not because it is valued as itself.
3. Natural Law Ethics: There is goodness in human nature which is rooted in the goodness of God; the God who
created everything according to his plan. This goodness of God can be seen and reflected through the expression of
the human intellect and reason. In other words, man’s intellect is geared towards protecting nature as our reason
dictates that since God created everything, then it must be treated with utmost respect, hence we must protect and
preserve it.
4. Axiological Approach: In this approach to environment, human being recognizes the intrinsic value of nature. This
demands his/her to protect the environment regardless of its usefulness. According to “Deep Ecology Platform”, by
Anre Naess and George Sessions, Norwegian philosopher and American environmentalist, in respective order, “The
well-being and flourishing of human and nonhuman life on Earth have value in themselves…. These values are
independent of the usefulness of the nonhuman world for human purposes.” They want to stress the point that apart
from human beings, nature has inherent value. Therefore, must be valued in themselves.
These are some of approaches of man in terms of dealing with nature.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/deep-ecology

Activity 2: Answer these questions:

1. Among the different approaches, what do you think is the most appropriate approach when dealing with
nature?

 When it comes to engaging with nature, I believe that an axiological strategy is the best approach. Because the
axiological approach to regulation of the right to a healthy environment is expressed in its allotment with primacy in
relation to other main human rights and freedoms. It combines this right with the duty to protect and improve the
environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

2. After choosing what approach fits your qualification, explain why you did not choose the other. Give your
criticism to other approaches.

 In Instrumental Approach it is true that nature is extremely beneficial to us that we couldn't live without it. That’s
why people are organizing campaigns and movements to save nature since we are so close to destroying it. But for
me this approach is not a proper way to be engage with nature. The next two is Anthropological Approach and
Natural Law Ethics. These two approaches have different beliefs when it comes to nature. Some of us believe in good
2

things and some of them are not that’s why most of us believe in other thing. But when it comes to nature, we know
how to take care despite our differences

Activity 3:

1. Identify two (2) factors in your immediate community (household or

respective barangays) that contributes to the worsening condition of Criteria
our natural environment. 1. Knowledge 25: the learner is well-
2. Explain why do you think it is happening. You may interview some verse regarding the topic, it is
people regarding the matter. (Again, it is optional and if you will do well-researched and thoroughly
an interview please do observe minimum health protocols in examined.
accordance with IATF guidelines). 2. Relevance 25: the content reflects
3. Lastly, after identifying the problem and speculating about the cause current events and issues. It also
of the problem, what can you do about the problem? Propose presents relevant and doable
solutions to the problem that you have identified. solutions to the problem.

There are several factors that contribute to the destruction of nature.

Some of them are taking place directly in front of our eyes. One of the actions that destroy our nature is air pollution. This is
the most common thing, but it is harmful to our ecosystem and can destroy not only our natural environment but also the
ozone layer. The second action that destroys our nature is cutting trees, or what we call deforestation. Before, our barangay
was full of trees. We have such clean air that every morning you can feel the breeze of the wind going inside your house. It’s
like the province where I grew up. But now all I can see is commercial buildings and factories that are emitting smoke into
the air. This makes the air dirty and destroys our nature.
For this common problem, all we need is a simple solution. To stop deforestation, we need one rule and that is "You
cut trees, you plant new." This makes people plant every tree that they cut to preserve our trees and have clean air in our
environment. Also, educating everyone on do’s and don’ts when it comes to our environment helps a lot. air pollution. The
most basic solution to air pollution is to move away from fossil fuels, replacing them with alternative energies like solar,
wind, and geothermal. Producing clean energy is crucial. But equally important is to reduce our consumption of energy by
adopting responsible habits and using more efficient devices.