Ecocentrism is the view that:
A A local ecosystem is more important to consider than one further away.
B An entire ecosystem can have moral value.
C Means the same thing as Kant’s categorical imperative.
D All animals with a nervous system are equal.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is B: An entire ecosystem can have moral value.
Explanation:
Ecocentrism is an ethical perspective that emphasizes the intrinsic value of ecosystems and the interconnectedness of all components within them, including both living and non-living elements. In ecocentrism, the focus is not just on individual organisms but on the holistic value of entire ecosystems. This ethical framework holds that the environment, including all its living organisms and their physical surroundings, should be regarded as having moral worth in its own right, regardless of its utility to humans or other individual species.
Why B is correct:
Answer B correctly reflects the ecocentric view because it asserts that entire ecosystems have moral value, not just the individual elements or species that comprise them. In this view, the well-being of the ecosystem as a whole is important, and it holds moral value even if it doesn’t directly benefit humans or individual animals. This is in contrast to anthropocentric views, which prioritize human needs and desires, or biocentrism, which focuses more narrowly on individual living organisms.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- A (“A local ecosystem is more important to consider than one further away”) represents a more local or regional perspective but does not capture the essence of ecocentrism, which sees ecosystems in a broader, interconnected sense, often including global perspectives on environmental health.
- C (“Means the same thing as Kant’s categorical imperative”) is incorrect because Kant’s categorical imperative focuses on moral duties toward rational beings (i.e., humans) and does not extend moral value to ecosystems or non-human entities in the way ecocentrism does.
- D (“All animals with a nervous system are equal”) reflects a more biocentric or animal rights perspective but does not address the holistic environmental approach that ecocentrism promotes.
In summary, ecocentrism calls for a moral framework that recognizes the worth of entire ecosystems, aiming to preserve them for their own sake, not just for the benefits they provide to individual species or humans.