docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Athabasca University, Athabasca *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
375
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
9
Uploaded by oleh1man
1
Name: Chidiebere Emmanuel
Oleh School: Athabasca
University Tutor: Wolfgang Blaine
Assignment: Two
Course: PHIL 375
2
Introduction:
Why does inappropriate plastic waste disposal affect the environment and human health?
The issue associated with plastic waste disposal from my perspective is that human beings do
not value the ecosystem as their responsibility to preserve it for future generations. The issue is
not just about waste disposal management, but the concept or ideology used to evaluate the
theoretical concepts related to intrinsic value, anthropocentrism, and sustainability. In this
paper, I will identify the intrinsic value of the importance of the ecosystem to us humans and
care about our ecosystem. Not caring about nature or the ecosystem due to the manner bad
disposal of plastic or not taking care of the environment will result will have a bad effect on
marine pollution, human health, and wildlife.
To tackle the issues of plastic waste disposal we need to consider the ethical, environmental,
and sustainability aspects of the on-going concern. The ecosystem is our responsibility as
human beings to take care of them and make sure that the next generation can benefit from the
effort made by the previous generation. In this position paper, I am for preserving nature for
the better of tomorrow and I will identify and explain my position on keeping our ecosystem
clean but reducing the single plastic waste disposal.
Anthropocentrism and Non-Anthropocentrism:
Anthropocentrism refers to the perspective that humans are above everything and that their
interest comes first. This idea that humans believe that they are above everything leads to the
approach where humans view plastic waste as only useful to humans or harmful to humans and
not the natural or ecological environment. The argument here for Anthropocentrism is that
3
humans only begin with rational thinking and should be protected at all costs. The discussion
on both views comes down to the two forms of anthropocentrism, strong anthropocentrism,
and weak anthropocentrism when talking about or dealing with environmental issues. The
view on the anthropocentrism value system is strongly anthropocentric if all value goes alone
with reference to the satisfaction of felt preferences of human individuals (Norton,1984,
p.328). “While weak anthropocentrism understands all value countenanced by the reference to
satisfaction of some felt preferences human individuals upon the ideals which exist as
elements in the world's view to determine the considered preference (Norton,1984, p.328). The
weak anthropocentrism understands that we as human beings play a big part in the survival of
our environment and the future of the next generation. The plastic waste issues that we are
facing in Canada that are affecting our environment can reflect on the theory stated about felt
preference and considered preference. Some individuals may not see recycling their plastics as
a felt preference but as a considered preference knowing that, if they contribute by recycling
their plastic properly that will benefit our environment and ecosystem. Furthermore, the
anthropocentric perspective is another theoretical issue that arises in the context of plastic
waste disposal.
In non-anthropocentrism values are seen as weakly anthropomorphic. I do believe in it
because I do that the environment needs human beings and humans need the environment. The
idea that humans are more intelligent and are important over everything that I will disagree on.
Yes, humans are intelligent but not above everything that is non-human because we are part of
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
the ecosystem. We, humans, are the protectors of the environment, and we must protect it at all
costs. Issues with global warming and climate change which has been identified as ongoing
issues in Canada with the recent forestry fires in British Columbia, Alberta, and across the nation
these events are the result of climate change. The issues came from both individuals and
businesses or organizations on those they see an environment that they live in and have not been
concerned about the impact that their actions can affect our environment. Anthropologists can
argue that climax change is invented by humans and that the non-anthropocentric values are the
same as their values because nature cannot talk back to humans. I do understand that
environmental issues are subject to disagreement that may arise from different values from both
economic gain and environmental concerns is not that easy to settle. To satisfy an individual's
interests is the basic unit value of utilitarianism which is individualistic (Norton,1984, p.330).
Environmental ethics cannot be successful on an individualistic basis, whether it a non-human
or human. To have a successful result mitigating this issue should not be individualistic but non-
individualistic. The plastic waste disposal issues that we have at this moment before and after
Covid were not effective. The plastic or recycle material was shipped to China for recycling, but
China could not keep up with the imported plastic plus their own plastic waste. So, they took
the excess plastic that was shipped to China and dump them in the oceans and in the streets of
China and Indonesia. Report has shown that less than 10 percent of plastic waste was recycled
in Canada which resulted in the Federal Government banning single-use plastic. Now the
question is where did the 90 percent go?
Having our oceans polluted affects the animals in the
ocean and affects the environment the solution to this is the have an adequate environmental
ethic that will therefore prohibit current activities agreed to have negative effects on the
environment of the future (p.331).
5
Sustainability:
Efforts to tackle the plastic waste issue need to go beyond just reducing consumption,
increasing recycling, and implementing safe disposal systems. Discussions related to sustainable
consumption practices and waste reduction need to be at the forefront of these efforts. With the
current climate change, we cannot make up the history of fossil fuels being burned that has
affected our climate and that has led to the changes that are happening. The ecosystem has given
humans the wonderful opportunity to enjoy what nature has to offer and we as humans do not
give the earth back by taking care of our environment. In Canada, plastic waste treatment is not
behind, and inadequate infrastructure for plastic waste treatment causes a challenge to
implement feasible waste management practices. The federal government and provincial
government can work together with the local communities to address the issues of why waste
recycling is not that effective. The federal government investing in advanced infrastructures will
help to create jobs and a more sustainable system of plastic waste recycling and a better
environment for the future.
There is an argument on why the government should focus on the environment so much that it
will implement laws that might reduce jobs or affect trade relations with other countries. I do
understand that there should be a balance in dealing with economic growth and still preserving
our ecosystem with less toxic materials that will affect the ecosystem and humans too.
Approaches to sustainability that can be implied to find common ground will be through two
strong sustainability which distinguishes between growth and development, where
“development” applies to social, political, and moral development and growth is restricted to
economics (Morito,2002, p.224). I do believe that we can have balanced views and ideas on
sustainable development, which will balance both the economic and social development of the
community.
6
Another major barrier to sustainable plastic waste management in Canada is the lack of
awareness and education among individuals and businesses. Knowledge is power and without
proper education and understanding of the importance of plastic waste management and
recycling, individuals may not feel motivated to reduce their consumption or properly dispose
of plastic products.
Regardless of your viewpoint, we can argue that global warming has led to various changes in
weather patterns seasonally unbalanced and that we are having hotter summers, and colder
winters. We all as humans have a role to play in keeping our environment safe and not letting
monetary values damage our ecosystem. We can have sustainable development as a nation and
growth for prosperity for everyone. We can respect our planet which will benefit everyone
including our future generations that we will not see once we leave this planet. Both cost-benefit
analysis and risk-benefit analysis can be used to evaluate projects before they can be approved
by the government. For sustainable plastic waste management to be successful, the recycling
process must be cost-effective. This means that the costs associated with collecting, sorting, and
processing plastic waste should be explained by the economic value of the recycled materials.
The intrinsic value of having a clean environment or ecosystem is important and lies in the
intrinsic value of preserving ecological balance and the overall health of nature. A clean
environment or ecosystem provides several benefits to humans and our society, including clear
air that we breathe, supplies of food, etc. Having a clean environment benefits humans and all
living creatures, which is good for our mental health and promotes great physical well-being.
The issues on intrinsic value towards our ecosystem begin when the value of protecting and
preserving our natural system is not prioritized by humans. This can lead to a range of
problems, including habitat destruction and degradation of ecosystem services. For example,
the wildfire situation in Canada and America every year is the result of climate change.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
7
These issues can lead to reduced water and bad air quality if we consistently pollute the air that
we breathe, and it will increase exposure to natural disasters.
The lack of recognition of intrinsic value to our environment can lead to the depletion of natural
resources and neglecting valuable sectors like forestry and agriculture. Sustainable plastic waste
management helps to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. Recycling and
effectively managing plastic waste reduce exposure to ocean pollution. Moreover, sustainable
plastic waste management helps minimize plastic pollution's negative impacts on
ecosystems and
wildlife. In Canada, proper management strategies such as reuse, recycling, and energy recovery
methods are essential for mitigating plastic pollution.
In conclusion, addressing the issue of plastic waste management is crucial for sustainable
development. And I do believe that we have a role to play in protecting our environment and
preserving it for future generations. A better environment not only helps to protect ecosystems
and wildlife from the damaging effects of plastic pollution but also contributes to the overall
well-being and health of our environment.
8
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I have stated my position on why we should protect our ecosystems and why I am
a firm believer that we as humans can enjoy the benefits of our ecosystem if we take care of it
and protect it at all costs. I have listed the points on my views on Anthropocentrism and Non-
Anthropocentrism, how sustainable can we manage to protect the environment and still be
economically sound to create a sustainable economy? I have stated some issues that might be
associated with plastic disposal and how it will affect the environment and humans too. Proper
management of plastic waste is crucial for reducing environmental impacts and promoting
resource efficiency. Developing a sustainable way of managing plastic waste disposal generated
from local communities and industries is important. This can be achieved through effectively
recycling plastics, an important aspect of waste management. In addition, our ecosystem
service's intrinsic value is essential for maintaining a healthy ecological environment and
ensuring human survival and development.
9
Reference
:
Morita, Bruce. 2002.Thinking Ecologically.
Norton,
Bryan
G.
1984.
Environmental
ethics
and
weak
anthropocentrism.
Environmental
Ethics 6 (summer): 131–148.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help