Environmental ethics and the field of planning: Alternative theories and middle-range principles

Abstract

This chapter explores the subject of environmental ethics, and the implications that the body of writing and thinking has for environmental planning and policy. It argues that this subject has considerable implications for planning practice and for guiding land use and environmental policy. The chapter also argues that the significant differences in the foundational principles and underlying concepts of a number of the major competing theories of environmental ethics, there is considerable overlap and likely agreement about planning and policy implications. Within the anthropocentric camp, several prominent ethical positions can be identified, and are discussed, including: the resource libertarian view; the utilitarian/economic view; environmental rights, and obligations to future generations. Building on the intuitions of Leopold, the chapter discusses a number of non-anthropocentric ethical perspectives on the environment. These include: animal rights/welfare; duties to species and duties to protect endangered species and biodiversity; biocentrism; ecocentrism; deep ecology, and eco-feminism.