Ethics for a small planet: new horizons on population, consumption, and ecology

Abstract

This book assesses the combined impact of overpopulation overconsumption and economic and political injustice. Complementary studies on these issues are presented by two major social ethicists which focus on seeking a new understanding of religion and its power. Daniel C. Maguire indicts the male-dominated religions for the ecologic and reproductive ethical problems. He raises the controversial questions of whether the concept of God is a problem and whether the Christian notions of afterlife and a divinized male have done more harm than good. Larry L. Ramussen on the other hand identifies a male-made and wealth-dominated world as the cause of the problem. He observes that Europeans packaged a form of earth-unfriendly capitalism and sent it all over the world with missionary zeal. He reviews the history that led to the manic rush to push the earth beyond its limits and suggests moral norms and policy guidelines for sustainable communities and shared power. Arguments between positive and renewable moral energies in the worlds religions as well as an understanding of the response on the sanctity of life provides a grim prospect for the world. A sense of sacredness is presented as the nucleus of good and the only force that could bring about the lifestyle changes and power reallocations necessary for terricide prevention.