Strengths and Weaknesses of Moral Theories as Basis for Protecting an Ecosystem

Environmental Ethics and Moral Theories
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Environmental Ethics and Moral Theories
Environmental ethics involves the values and problems surrounding society’s policies, attitudes, and actions to safeguard biodiversity and environmental systems. However, the lack of moral theory inclusion in environmental ethics poses a challenge in protecting the environment.
Although moral theories touch people’s obligation to protect the environment, they also have weaknesses.
* Social Contract Theory. The theory holds that people live according to the agreement that forms political and moral rules (Washington & Maloney, 2020). This necessitates that we live by our choices, not over the directions of a divine being. The theory protects the ecosystem since people should conserve the environment since they must ensure clean and safe. Nonetheless, the theory has no defined consequences for people who might fail to exercise natural reason.
* The Principle of Utility. It holds that an individual’s actions are right as long as they help promote pleasure or happiness (Washington & Maloney, 2020). The theo...