Ethical Perspectives Reflection

Out of the 7 different ethical perspectives, one relates to my own personal beliefs. I believe in the principles outlined by Holistic ethics. Holistic ethics is the idea that we have responsibilities to collections of individuals rather than those individuals that constitute the whole. This also includes responsibilities to the relationships between individuals. I feel this idea applies to me beliefs because I believe that everything in this world is connected by a big web of relationships. This includes everything from humans to rocks. Since everything is connected, our actions (specifically those relating to the environment) need to think in the big picture rather than in individual parts. Very little in this world isn't connected to something else, therefore actions that affect one piece of the puzzle also affects other parts. Out of the perspectives we learned about in class I feel that I relate least to anthropocentric ethics. This is because since everything is connected, no once piece is more important than another. Meaning that humans shouldn't exploit the environment because they feel they can or it is their duty. Since humans survive in this environment, they also depend on it. This means that any damage done by the actions of humans will eventually damage humans themselves. I also believe that the earth will survive far longer than humans, and will also be able to recover and flourish once humans are gone. I feel that humans have the ability to flourish with the environment, but only once they have realized that they are just once piece of the puzzle, rather than the once putting the puzzle together.

Bio

Hello all,
My name is Jared and i am a senior environmental studies major, coaching minor at St. John's University. I am from NE Minneapolis where I have lived my entire life. I am currently employed during the summer months at Tomahawk Scout Reservation which is located approx. 30 min north of Rice Lake, WI. I have spent all my summers of my youth at YMCA camps with my best experience being a 50-day canoe trip up into the arctic circle in the Canadian Providence of Yukon (my background is one of my best pictures from the trip). In fall 2010 i studied abroad in Fremantle, Western Australia, which was amazing. I enjoy the outdoors, especially sailing, canoeing, and camping.