Ethics: essence for sustainability
December 19, 2007 by amathew , John Morelli , amathew , Brian Butler | Filed under: Codes of Practice,Literature Review,Standards of Competence
Oliveira de Paula, Cavalcanti; Ethics: essence for sustainability; Journal of Cleaner Production 8 (2000) 109–117The article begins by examining the current state of western economics (capitalism) and how this system attributes to environmental degradation (increased consumption and production, increases waste). The article also discusses how globalization adds to environmental degradation as it encourages the concentration on income, and widens social inequality, and makes the natural environment unsustainable. The authors surmise that the current ethics and values of the western model are incompatible with the sustainability of the environment. Also discussed is the notion that the definition of sustainability must incorporate social, economic and ecological considerations. The overall focus of the article then shifts toward the idea that ethics, when applied to environmental concerns and practices, is a major factor in achieving sustainability. The authors examine the idea of difference between social norms when comparing different cultures, and how these differences, when applied to environmental concerns, create incongruence. Anthropocentrism is also discussed, and how this concept creates arrogance in the human race, especially toward the environment. The authors conclude that ethics is the essence of sustainability and human attitudes in regard to resources and the environment must shift toward a more conscientious state in order to be a sustainable culture.