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Duties to ecosystems

Date

1987

Authors

Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, author
University of Wisconsin Press, publisher

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Abstract

Aldo Leopold finds that an ecosystem is a biotic community. Moreover, moving from what is the case to what ought to be, Leopold argues a land ethic, duties toward ecosystems. Ecologists have sometimes held that ecosystems are superorganisms, sometimes only loose aggregations of plants and animals. Philosophers sometimes hold that ecosystems are beyond moral consideration, since they have no preferences and have no felt experience. But perhaps ethics needs to become more comprehensive, with respect and love for ecosystemic integrity, stability, and beauty. Can a community per se count morally? Duties to other humans remain all they have ever been, but "the land" now counts too.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 272-274).

Rights Access

Subject

Aldo Leopold
ecosystems
duties
values in nature

Citation

Associated Publications