One ethical dilemma rising in today’s society comes from deforestation. According to Britannica, deforestation is “The clearing or thinning of forest by humans.” This allows for more roadways, land for population growth, and it even creates new jobs, which helps the economy. Even though this may sound good, it also leads to many environmental problems. One problem is the removal of many of the Earth’s trees has caused soil erosion. Without the roots of these trees to support the land, the soil begins to erode with heavy rain or wind Another problem is more and more greenhouse gases are left in the air, since there is less forest to absorb them. This causes the atmosphere to be weaker. Deforestation also leads to the destruction of much of the planet’s plant and animal life. Many animals build their homes in the trees or on the canopies. With a lot of these trees being cut down, their homes are then destroyed, leaving many animals homeless and without shelter, and many of them do not survive when harsh weather occurs.
Plant life is vulnerable, because the ground has dried up and eroded away. Trees help continue the water cycle, returning water vapor into the air. Without this process the land begins to dry up and plants can’t get the water they need to survive. All of these problems lead to one ethical dilemma; is it right to destroy the planet, just so humans can be comfortable in today’s society? The answer to this question is based on which ethical system a person believes in. One ethical system to solve this problem is Deontology. A second ethical system is Utilitarianism, which argues against Deontology. Depending on which lens a person looks through, will show which system is more right.
The first ethical system to solve the ethical dilemma is Deontology. According to All About Philosophy, “Deontological ethics is a theory of morality based on a ‘non-consequentialist’ view of people and moral decision-making.” The website also states how the word Deontology comes from the Greek word Deon, which means duty. This means that Deontology isn’t based on the consequences of the actions, but rather people should just do their duty no matter what the consequences are. Through this form of ethics, it is the duty of humans to protect the Earth, not destroy it to become more comfortable. With deforestation, many animals are without homes and without these homes to protect them, many of them do not survive Humans should be protecting these animals, by moving them to other areas to live or by not causing deforestation at all.
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Humans should also protect trees because they help to support a clean planeti They help continue the water cycle and give oxygen while taking in greenhouse gases, which are harmful to the atmosphere. Through a Deontological lens, one can see that stopping Deforestation is ethically correct The other ethical system is Utilitarianism. According to Ethics Unwrapped, “Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes.t.the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number.” This means Utilitarianism is based on whether the consequences are going to be better for the majority and not the minority The decisions made through this lens are those that make the majority the happiest. Through Utilitarianism, the most ethical choice is to continue with deforestation. With population growth, more people need space to live Deforestation allows more land for housing expansion.
It also allows more land for farmers to grow crops and support, our country, their families, and their livestock Jobs are also created because the process takes more people to get the job done. Deforestation also allows developing countries to pay off their debts to countries like the United States Through a Utilitarianism lens, all the benefits of show that deforestation is well worth the unhappiness of a few people. Within this ethical dilemma, Deontology is the ethical system that is right, deontology uses the idea that humans are [0 protect the Earth, not destroy it. By protecting the planet, more plant and animal lives are able to thrive, which humans have the duty to protect, humans are also to protect the Earth in general, which includes the land and atmosphere.
Deforestation leads to soil erosion and the destruction of planet’s atmosphere These are all different effects of deforestation humans should be protecting the Earth from, not causing them. Another reason Deontology is right, is because although Utilitarianism would argue for the growing of the economy and allowing for population growth is better for the majority, Utilitarianism can also argue against it Since, it is based on the idea of the majority being good, then plant and animal life should be put into consideration. Although they technically do not have right like humans do, they are to be protected, not destroyed. These are all reasons why Deontology is the ethical system which should be used to solve the ethical dilemma.
Deforestation is one of many ethical dilemmas in today’s world. Letting humans be comfortable, through the destruction of the planet is a major ethical dilemma, deontology explains how it is the duty of humans to protect the Earth. All the animals and plant life in the forest should be protected from deforestation, not affected by the results of it. Utilitarianism explains how deforestation is actually better for the majority. It creates more economic benefits, it allows for more population growth, and it creates jobs. Utilitarianism, however argues against itself, since plant and animal life should be counted in the majority. Although both of these systems may be right, deontology is the one that is right the solution through this lens is to end deforestation to protect the planet.
References
- Britannica – Deforestation
- National Geographic – Deforestation and Climate Change
- World Wildlife Fund – Deforestation and Forest Degradation
- NASA Earth Observatory – Deforestation
- Science Magazine – The Role of Forests in Carbon Cycle
- Mongabay – Deforestation Effects on Climate
- National Center for Biotechnology Information – Impact of Deforestation on Biodiversity
- World Health Organization – Climate Change and Health Risks
