Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
As the world grapples with climate change and both its immediate and long-term effects, one overlooked consequence of an increasingly urbanized world is human-caused habitat destruction. Though considered a necessary evil by some, the destruction of habitats poses problems not only for the species that inhabit them, but also for the humans who eventually settle into these areas. For our discussion, we will be focusing on four habitats in particular: the Amazon rainforest, coral reefs, inland seas, and wetlands. While there is some statistical analyses, we will be primarily focusing on the ethical and moral implications of the effects of destroying these habitats. Below, you will find an outline of common ethical aspects referenced in all four pages, a summary with our page layouts, and finally, a link to each page for more details.
Ethical Aspects
Ethical Aspects
The overarching ethical arguments that all four habitat pages will address are:
Habitats are inherently alive
Ecosystems have value separate from their contribution to human interests
Habitats share interests such as staying alive and performing their natural functions
All living entities (including habitats themselves) should be seen as equals to humans and treated as such
These statements are analyzed and their meaning is applied with regards to the specific habitat highlighted on each page. Several philosophic terms are utilized throughout the arguments. To further clarify the intent behind our ethical discourse, the definitions of these words and phrases are outlined below.
Key Terms: Within our website, there are a few terms that we use such as moral standing, interests, sentience, and intrinsic value. We use these definitions as a framework but also attempt to challenge their meaning.
Moral standing: we define this using Peter Singer’s definition; the capacity to suffer. Something has moral standing because it has the capacity to suffer.
Interests: we define this as something desirable or undesirable that can happen to a being that can either benefit or harm them, as well as the interest of survival.
Sentience: the capacity to have a conscious, as well as to have a central nervous system.
Intrinsic Value: an organism’s own value within itself or for its own sake, not for the sake of connection to others.
Summary
Summary
Within each individual website, you will find an introduction of the specified habitat as well as the reason that each habitat is important. This section is used to provide background for each habitat. After this, you will see the history and explanation of the destruction of each habitat and why the destruction is an issue. The destruction section is provided to support the foundation for our ethical arguments. Next, we introduce our ethical arguments where we all argue on the basis of our own individual habitats. Included in our ethical arguments are rebuttals and evidence to refute opposing views. Lastly, at the bottom of each page is a list of references for the sources used for each individual page.
Meet the Authors
Meet the Authors
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse