Man, nature and ethics

seminaria monograficzne

Seminar will be devoted to selected issues on man-nature relationships considered from different philosophical and ethical perspectives: human-centred, animal-centred, life-centred and holistic ones.

Seminar will be devoted to selected issues on man-nature relationships considered from different philosophical perspectives: human-centred, animal-centred, life-centred and holistic ones. Following questions will be discussed:

1-2. Philosophical and normative foundations of relation „man-nature”

3-4. The source of ethical obligations towards the nature. Can we apply classical ethical theories to the Man-Nature relations?

5. Anthropocene: peril or new promise for nature?.

6. Pro-life standpoint versus antropocentrism,

7. Non-human beings as the subject of moral consideration,

8. The intrinsic value of nature. Rights, rules, respect of Nature,

9. Intergenerational ethics. Needs of present and futures generations in environment ethics (climate, natural supplies, etc.) ..

10.Human duties and responsibilities with regard to natural ecosystems,

11. Moral rights of animals(T.Regan). Zoopolis as possible social order or new utopia of our times?

12.Aesthetic Appreciation of Nature .

13. Environmental ethics; conflicting priorities and compromise.

1. Holmes Rolston lll: Environmental Ethics: The Anthropocene: Beyond the Natural?

2. Robert Elliot: Environmental Ethics

3. Marc Aurelius: Meditations

4. Paul Taylor: The Ethics of Respect for Nature

5. J.Bentham : Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (fragments),

6. Holmes Rolston lll: Values and Duties to the Natural World

7. David Schmidtz: Are All Species Equal?

8. R.Elliot: Faking Nature

9. Peter Singer: Not for Humans Only.The Place of Non-Humans in Environm. Issues

10. Holmes Rolston III: Duties to Endangered Species-

11. Joel Feinberg: :Human Duties and Animal Rights

12. Tom Regan: Animal Rights...

13. Deane Curtin: Toward an ecological ethics of care. The feminist care tradition...

14. Charles Diehm: Darwin and Deep Ecology

15. Michael Ruse: The Significance of Evolution

16. Allen Carlson: Aesthetic Appreciation of Nature lub…

Emily Brady: The Ugly Truth: Negative Aesthetics and Environment

17. Robin Attfield: Saving Nature, Feeding People…

18. J.Donovan: Attention to Suffering: Sympathy as a Basis for Ethical Traetment of Animals...

19. Evelyn B.Pluhar: Meat and Morality: Alternative to Factory Farming

20. Dieter Helm: Sustainable Consumption, Climate Change and Future Generation

Student:

- knows and understands ethical concepts applied in interdisciplinary bioethical discussions

- has a sufficient knowledge of main philosophical and normative approaches and argumentations used in contemporary debates in environmental ethics

- appreciates the importance of ethical legal and political factors in the practice of ecological movements.

- is capable to analyse texts and arguments discussed during the seminarium

- identifies main problems in human relationship to nature

- is capable to present well structured arguments defending his standpoint

- prepare oral presentation concerning the seminar subject of discussion

- is able to to express in English his philosophical opinion

- appreciates the importance of ethical reflection concerning our respect for nature

- is engaged in research activity and is interested in new ethical currensts concerning ecological practice

- tries to resolve moral dilemmas related to ecological issues

oral presentation in class, participation in discussion

Number of absences: 2