Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, authorOxford University Press, publisher2021-10-182021-10-181995Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, Environmental Bioethics, in Goudie, Andrew S., Editor in Chief, Encyclopedia of Global Change, 2 vols (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002), vol. 1, pp. 399-401.https://hdl.handle.net/10217/233961Includes bibliographical references.Environmental bioethics, or environmental ethics, is the theory and practice concerning values in and duties to, or concerning, the natural world. An anthropocentric ethic holds that humans are the focus of ethics and nature is instrumental to their concerns. A naturalistic ethic is more radical, and holds that animals, plants, ecosystems, and even Earth as a whole ought to be the direct objects of moral concern, at times at least. If so, environmental bioethics differs from bioethics more generally, which has previously been largely medical, with human health and welfare its concern. A comprehensive environmental bioethics locates humans in both human and biotic communities, with values and duties at multiple levels and scales. These ethics may join, however, as all humans see themselves as Earthlings, with their home planet as a responsibility.born digitalchapters (layout features)engCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.bioethicsenvironmentecosystemsvalues in natureanthropocentrisminstrumental valueintrinsic valuehumansEarthlings communitiesText