PHIL 5534 Environmental Ethics: Value of Nature/Nature of Value
This course has theoretical and practical sides. Theoretically, it is an inquiry into value theory in general, and the value of (nonhuman) nature in particular. We will examine positions on the moral standing of nonhumans, such as anthropocentrism, animal rights and welfare, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. Practically, we will explore the social, political, economic, and ethical dimensions of environmental issues such as food, consumerism, climate change, energy, and sustainability. Our animating questions are: What are our duties to the natural world? How would our civilization have to change to meet these duties?
Course overview
- Department
- Philosophy
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Both
- Offered
- Every Spring
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Geoscience B.S.: (C) Electives: approved non-EESC courses (up to 6 credits of the 18 elective credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Environmental Health: One Ethics Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Food and Water Sustainability: One Humanities Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: Concentration: Ethics and Social Justice – approved courses (six courses in one concentration) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Philosophy: Free Philosophy electives (five courses, 15 credits); up to two approved cognate courses in other departments may also count (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: C. Two foundation courses (6 credits) — One in the Social Sciences or Humanities (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.35 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.40 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 2
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Marina Mccoy | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | — | 16 of 19 |
| Spring 2022 | Jason Donnelly | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 16 of 24 |