MAN AND

HIS ENVIRONMENT
GROUP 5 REPORTING
HOW DOES PHILOSOPHY
DEFINE MAN’S
RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE ENVIRONMENT?
The relationship between man and the environment is a
topic that has been explored by many philosophers.
Environmental philosophy is a branch of philosophy
that deals with the relationship between humans and
the natural world. It is concerned with the ethical and
moral issues that arise from this relationship, and how
humans should interact with the environment in a
responsible and sustainable way.
Environmental ethics is a subfield of environmental
philosophy that focuses on the moral relationship
between humans and the environment. It argues that
humans have a moral obligation to protect the
environment, and that we should act in ways that
respect the intrinsic value of all living things and
promote life in the broadest sense.
Some philosophers argue that humans are part of nature,
and that we should view ourselves as part of an
interconnected web of life. Others argue that humans are
separate from nature, and that we have a responsibility to
use our intelligence to manage and control the natural
world.
Overall, environmental philosophy provides a framework
for thinking about our relationship with the environment,
and how we can live in harmony with nature while still
meeting our needs as human beings.
ENVIRONMENTAL
PHILOSOPHY
Environmental philosophy examines our relation, as human
beings, to nature or our natural environment: it reviews our
philosophical understandings of nature and our conception of
nature’s value and entitlements.
Environmental inquiry also overlaps with other disciplines,
such as environmental psychology and environmental politics,
and is furthermore cross cultural, since different societies
understand and relate to their natural environments in
different ways.
ANTHROPOCENTRISM
Anthropocentrism refers to a form of human
centeredness that places humans not only at the
center of everything but makes “us” the most
important measure of all things. Cultural beliefs
about our place in relation to the other animals,
that they fit in with us and not the other way
around.
 EXAMPLE:
• My home is designed and built on a human scale,
with spaces and structures for ease of human use, just
like the town and the city more generally, where
encounters with animals are also conditional upon
them fitting into structures and places that are not
designed with them in mind.
DEEP ECOLOGY
The Deep Ecology movement began in 1972 with
Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. It can be
defined as a social movement aimed toward a
philosophical shift, namely that humans should
stop viewing nature as a resource and begin to
view it as something with inherent value.
GAIA HYPOTHESIS
The Deep Ecology movement began in 1972 with
Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. It can be
defined as a social movement aimed toward a
philosophical shift, namely that humans should
stop viewing nature as a resource and begin to
view it as something with inherent value.
 HOW DO
PHILOSOPHICAL
VIEWS INFLUENCE
ENVIRONMENT ACTION?
Philosophical perspectives can have a huge
influence on actions for the environment.
These views can provide the foundations
and principles that drive people to act to
protect nature and the environment.
 ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
• Environmental ethics is a branch of applied
philosophy that studies the conceptual foundations
of environmental values as well as more concrete
issues surrounding societal attitudes, actions, and
policies to protect and sustain biodiversity and
ecological systems.
 SOCIAL ECOLOGY
• Social ecology is the study of how
individuals interact with and respond to the
environment around them, and how these
interactions affect society and the
environment as a whole.
 CLIMATE ETHICS
• Climate ethics, is a philosophy branch that explores
moral and ethical considerations related to climate
change, focusing on intergenerational justice,
mitigation strategies, and distribution of burdens
and benefits for future generations.
 CLIMATE JUSTICE
Climate justice advocates for a fair distribution of
mitigation and adaptation efforts, focusing on vulnerable
communities, especially in developing countries. It aims
to ensure equal access to climate benefits and protection,
combining environmental concerns with social and
economic justice.
 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Environmental justice is about fairly sharing
environmental benefits and addressing
environmental challenges. It stresses equity and
community/government involvement in tackling
environmental issues and creating policies.
 EXAMPLE
• An example of environmental justice is when a low-income
community, often predominantly composed of minority residents,
successfully advocates for cleaner air regulations in their
neighborhood. This ensures that the benefits of cleaner air, like
improved health, are distributed more fairly among the community,
addressing the environmental burden they've faced due to
pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL
AESTHETICS
Environmental aesthetics, initially focusing on natural
beauty, has evolved to include environmental
considerations in the 20th century. It connects natural
beauty to maintaining balance, enhancing appreciation
and fostering better environmental relationships,
inspiring movements like environmental protection,
conservation, animal rights, and green politics.
 EXAMPLE
a city transforms an abandoned industrial area into a park using
environmental aesthetics. This involves selecting native plants to enhance
visual appeal and support local biodiversity, incorporating natural water
features for aesthetics and ecological benefits, implementing sustainable
materials and energy-efficient lighting, educating visitors about the
environment, and involving the community in the design process. The
result is a beautiful, eco-conscious urban park that engages residents and
promotes environmental awareness.
ENVIRONMENTALISM
Environmentalism is now a key topic in international
politics, with governments and organizations
collaborating to address environmental challenges.
Notable events include the Kyoto Protocol in 1997,
where nations pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions
to combat global warming. Earth Day, initiated in 1970,
is a worldwide initiative to promote environmental
awareness and inspire community action.
 EXAMPLE
• Beach Clean-up Events: Local residents and
environmental organizations regularly organize beach
clean-up events where volunteers gather to remove
plastic waste and debris from the shoreline. These
events draw attention to the problem and demonstrate
the community's commitment to addressing it.
 QUESTIONS?
What are the 4 types of ENVIRONMENTAL?