Environmental Ethics

The first presentation will be an evaluation of a climate change issue of your choice found in one of the readings posted on BbLearn (either the IPCC report or the NIPCC report). There are two parts to this essay: 1) scientific, and 2) philosophical/ethical. Evaluate the reasoning of both reports and then discuss whether this is an ethical issue (not political or legal). For example, is there an absolute right or wrong; is there a virtuous mean; is it merely a personal virtue; is there a utilitarian principle that will promote the greatest happiness; or is there a duty to act in a certain way? Use at least one of the philosophers discussed in the first weeks of class (Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Mill, Kant). This requires some creativity and critical thinking on your part, because these philosophers did not specifically discuss these issues. What kinds of complications or problems arise with this ethical evaluation? Discuss opposing views to your own because someone, somewhere will disagree.
Instructions and rubric for first presentation
1. Read the “Executive Summary” of the NIPCC report Climate Change Reconsidered (5 pgs.) which summarizes the chapter topics for the whole report. 2. Choose one chapter from the NIPCC report Climate Change Reconsidered to evaluate. 3. Find the related chapter in the IPCC report Climate Change 2013 that address the same or a similar topic. You will be comparing the basic argument structure of these chapters. Do not try to summarize the whole chapter because it is too long. What kinds of reasons are given. Use the elements of argument form discussed in class (see BbLearn for notes). To identify the basic argument structure: a. Identify the overall conclusion of the chapter and summarize in one sentence. This will be stated in the beginning of each chapter and repeated at the end. b. Identify 3-4 reasons/rationales that are given to support the conclusion. Summarize each in approximately one sentence. c. Do this first for the NIPCC report and then for the IPCC report. d. This should take 1-2 paragraphs 4. Write approximately 1-2 paragraphs comparing and evaluating the reasons given for each conclusion. Be sure to cover each reason that you listed. You may use outside sources to supplement your evaluation (be sure to cite these and put them in a bibliography). Evaluate reasons based on: a. How strong or weak is the reason? What makes it strong or weak? b. What is the reason based on? Mathematics? Measurement? Graph? Another report? Something else? c. What is your overall assessment of each argument? d. How would you strengthen or improve one or both of the arguments? Would you change any of the reasons? Would add additional reasons? What would they be? 5. Write approximately 2-3 paragraphs on whether you think this is an ethical issue. For example, you could discuss one of the following: a. Is there a clear right or wrong, an absolute good that is not relative? b. Is there a virtuous mean for correct action? c. Is this a personal virtue? d. Can a utilitarian principle for promoting the greatest happiness be applied? e. Is there a duty to act in a certain way, and where does this duty come from (God, community, reason…)? 6. At the end write one complete, clear sentence that summarizes what you have argued. This is your conclusion. Copy this sentence and put it at the top of your document. This is your thesis. This is what you will read to the class when you start your presentation. We will give the class time to respond to it or ask you questions, at which time you may fill in the details of your research/investigation.
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