| Unit name | Philosophy and the Environment |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL30112 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Everett |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit explores topics in environmental ethics, environmental aesthetics, and green political theory.
1. Environmental ethics There are many reasons for us to value the natural world. Some philosophers argue that all of these reasons are grounded fundamentally in human interests. Human societies depend materially on the resources we harvest from the environment. Spending time in nature can be pleasurable, invigorating and rejuvenating. And of course the sciences of natural history, ecology, biology and physical geography all offer fascinating subjects for exploration. Given the richness of these ways of relating to the natural world, might we conclude that all of our reasons to care for the environment can be grounded in anthropocentric concerns, or reasons to care for our fellow human beings? On what grounds might it be argued that non-human animals, plants, species, ecosystems, and wildernesses are intrinsically valuable, or that they have independent moral standing? We will look at diverse responses to these questions, including sophisticated anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric approaches, and discover some unexpected possibilities.
2. Environmental aesthetics Many people place value on nature because of the aesthetic experiences that they have in relation to it, such as experiences of beauty, wonder, or awe. In what ways are our aesthetic responses to nature similar to our aesthetic responses to art? In what ways are they different? What would it mean to value nature aesthetically ‘on its own terms’? Might it be argued that all of nature has positive aesthetic value? If not, would this give us reason to alter those parts of nature that are ugly, boring, disgusting or somehow objectionable? And finally, in what ways, if any, does aesthetic appreciation of nature depend upon background knowledge, such as understanding of natural history? What other sorts of knowledge might enhance aesthetic appreciation of nature, and what role does the imagination have to play?
3. Green politics and economics In the final part of the unit, we will look at specific cases of environmental decision-making from the UK and elsewhere in the world. Amongst our questions will be: What tools should we use to capture environmental values in a political or economic context? What principles or values should guide decision-makers dealing with environmental problems in liberal societies? How can we do a good job of balancing competing priorities, such as social concerns having to do with economic development, justice and local autonomy; and environmental concerns such as those having to do with habitat preservation, climate change, and biodiversity?
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate:
(1) a strong knowledge of the literature in one or more areas of environmental philosophy;
(2) a critical understanding of central concepts and approaches in environmental philosophy, e.g. independent moral standing, intrinsic and extrinsic value, discounting, the precautionary principle, duties to future generations, cognitive and non-cognitive approaches to environmental aesthetics;
(3) the ability to philosophically analyse and critically appraise the main arguments in the literature;
(4) skills in philosophical writing and argumentation, appropriate to level H.
Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment. The unit tutors will use regular journal entries as a chance to give feedback on progress.
SUMMATIVE: Timed Assessment (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
FORMATIVE: Digital Presentation (0% to be completed for the award of credit) [ILOs 1-3]
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHIL30112).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
