1.2 Ethics of Sustainability
1.2
Ethics
of
Sustainability
Motivations
for
exploring sustainability
can
be
different
depending
on
your
world
view:
logic,
emotion
or
instinct
can
be
the
drivers. Generally they
are
based
around
concepts
of
humanity
inherently
striving
for
survival.
The
following
are
three
viewpoints
for
sustainability:
The Ecologist
Doesn't
see
the
human
race
as
a
separate
entity
from
the
planet
and
its
resources,
but
part
of
it.
Their
motivations
for
preserving
the
planet
are
that
nature
and
humanity
have
an
inherent
value
and
should
be
protected
because
of
that.
The Environmentalist
Sees
nature
or
the
planet
as
separate
from
the
human
race. It is there for
humans,
and
as
such
humans
should
have
stewardship
over
the
world. They see
the
planet
as
something
to
be
preserved
so
that
humans
can
survive
and
evolve.
The Economist
Understands
the
measures
of
unsustainability
arising
from
a
consumer
led
culture
treating
finite
resources
as
an
income,
but
has
faith
that
market
forces
and
a
“business
as
usual”
approach
will
result
in
a
natural
crisis
aversion
occurring;
that
the
system
will
sort
itself
out
through
technological
advances
if
left
to
its
own
devices.
It
is
not
intended
to
go
deeply
into
philosophy
in
this
module,
but
it
is
important
to
consider
for
yourself
what
motivations
you
may
have,
(if
any)
on
this
subject. To assess motivations
you
first
need
to
place
yourself
with
or
in
the
world,
and
this
is
a
subjective
experience.
Engineers have a role in society to design and implement systems that benefit humanity. Before an engineer can undertake a project, they must first have a full grasp of their motivations for being an engineer, and whether the aims and objectives of the project fit in with their ethical standpoint.
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Activity
Imagine you work for a civil engineering company and your company has
been asked to build a road through ancient woodland. The construction of the
road will destroy the habitat of an endangered snail. Opponents to the road
say that ancient woodland has an inherent value, and it is a travesty to wipe
out the only place this snail lives in the world. Supporters of the road
argue that it will bring social and economic benefits to the village it is
connecting, which is inhabited by many people living in poverty. They argue
that the economic benefits of the road will increase the quality of life for
the residents of the village. The company you work for stand to make a large
profit by securing the contract to build the road.
What would be the primary concerns for an ecological engineer, an
environmental engineer and an economical engineer?
Would anything change if it was panda rather than a snail that was
endangered?
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