For Discussion 2, let's focus on environmental events.
Please select from one of the topics below.
Topic 1: Current Events
You may already have a local current event in mind, such as a pipeline being installed, a watershed plan, listed species protection, a water quality crisis, forest fires, low impact development, designation of conservation lands, or even installation of offshore wind.
Do not limit yourself to these topics, as these are just ideas.
For the discussion, you will want to search through local or regional papers.
Find a news story on the environment, and present us with a brief summary of who, what, where, when, why, and how.
Then, relate this story to the concepts and theories we have been covering the past couple of weeks.
For example, which of the approaches to environmental ethics were evident? Only one, or perhaps did different sides of the story have different approaches? In addressing this discussion, you will likely want to consider the writings of some of the founders of environmental ethics, including those we have already covered in class.
Using arguments presented by one (or more) of the philosophers, please present your thoughts on the underlying environmental ethics related to the story you summarized.
Also, consider if the approach displayed is beneficial to the situation or a detriment.
Is there an alternative approach to environmental ethics that may work in this situation?
Topic 2: Armed Conflict
Armed conflicts occur throughout society, contemporarily and throughout history.
Have you ever stopped to consider how environmental ethics interplay with armed conflicts? Share your ideas here.
You may want to focus on the use of fossil fuels and climate change impacts, or perhaps you are interested in land degradation or impacts to listed species.
Perhaps your interests are in water control (e.g., disturbances to dams and access to clean drinking water), or perhaps you have other interests that can align environmental impacts from armed conflicts with concepts in environmental ethics.
It is critical in building your post that you focus specifically in on environmental ethics concepts as they relate to armed conflict.
Your discussion must use course vocabulary and should present consideration of who or what has value in this current event story.
Terms to consider include intrinsic value, instrumental value, consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, ecofeminism, environmental pragmatism, anthropocentrism, ecocentrism, pluralist views, and beyond.
You are not expected to use all of these terms in your discussion, but I would expect at least three or more would be integrated, explained, and connected to the forum topic.
Keep in mind this is meant as a scholarly discussion, but it is not a formal essay assignment.
The discussions should be engaging and open, so let's try to read through the articles and discuss these concepts collectively.
We may see the sides differently, and that is OK.
Just be sure to explain the connections to environmental ethics that you see in reviewing the selected article.
Initial Post Due: Sunday, Week 3 11:59 pm ET
Responses & Replies Due: Sunday, Week 4 11:59 pm ET
**note these are due dates - if you make replies and responses in Weeks 3 and 4, that is fine and encouraged, these are just deadlines for week endings, not restrictions on also engaging in discussion in Week 3