Anthropocentrism and Sustainable Development

Reviewed By Shishir Reza

‘Environmental Philosophy: Anthropocentrism and Sustainable Development’, a book by environmental philosopher Kalliprasanna Ghosh was published by Bangla Academy in 2014. This slim volume talks about environmental philosophy in ancient times, Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, nexus between ecosystem and humans, religion and environmental security, environmental ethics, people’s behaviour towards the environment, sustainable development, economic growth, social ecology, land ethics, class chauvinism and humane philosophy. 

The author analyses four parts of environmental philosophy – intrinsic value, sources of value, subject matter of ethics and perspectival. But the global trends of development hinder sustainable development. The writer mentions that argument from ignorance, argument from disappearing beneficiaries, argument from temporal distance, utilitarian argument and right argument create a political economy and environmental degradation dynamics.

Clarifying the term environmental ethics, non-human, nature-based philosophy, anthropocentrism and eco-centrism, the writer refers to population growth and non-humane behaviour as the main causes of socio-economic problems, including environmental degradation, pollution, desertification, deforestation, intensive cultivation, overutilization of grazing and other environmental problems. But sometimes that is not always true. For example, some of the most crowded countries in East Asia are the most prosperous _ Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore _ where the population density is 1,000 people per square kilometre. It depends on what policies they have taken and public participation.

Kalliprasanya Ghosh explains there is a conflict always between anthropocentrism and eco-centrism. Economic pursuits of human beings are dependent on the natural environment as nature is the provider of raw materials for the production of different goods. Natural environment provides us two types of resources. Natural or material resources − mineral and fossilised energy, which are extracted from the natural state at some cost to the economic agent who is involved in the extraction, as well as environmental resources − clean air, water, rivers, oceans, etc, the use of which does not involve any payment as there is no market for natural goods. Apart from that, the natural environment works as a waste assimilator, as wastes are discharged into the environment without anybody having to pay for it. On the other hand, modern technology increases the use of resources and also allows us to affect the environment in many ways.

Ghosh mentions how we can inject integrated ‘environmental economy philosophy’. The environment has the capability of transforming some of these wastes into useful products – tree converts carbon dioxide into carbohydrates through photosynthesis. The wastes may also be rendered harmless through biogeochemical processes. These reflect the waste assimilative capacity of the environment. As a result, economic activities do not overload the assimilative capacity of the environment.

However, when too many wastes are discharged into a specific environment, it cannot assimilate all that and there is environmental pollution. Pollution induces the negative externality, which is unsustainable to society, economy and environment. Then a question rises on environmental norms, ethics and philosophy.  

The author says politically there are six parts for sustainable development. These are: integration of environment and economy, future development aspects, environmental protection, social equality, quality of life and public participation. He emphasises that we have to save both people and nature.

We want development, higher per capita income, and economic growth. But the term development does not carry the same connotation for all people _ upper, middle, working,   marginal, ethnic or religious minorities. Either the extraction of development enriches the majority of people or makes some people rent-seekers. It depends on the patterns of development and public participation. The author explains that if we ensure education, health security, food and housing, as well as jobs for people, a setting may be created where the people protect and love nature.

‘Environmental Philosophy’ is a great book of inclusive thoughts, which can be useful for environmental researchers, students and those who love and want to protect nature. This ethics- based book on the environment may inject philosophy among the general people for sustainable development. n

The writer is an environmental analyst.

Anthropocentrism and Sustainable Development

Reviewed By Shishir Reza Environmental Philosophy: Anthropocentrism and Sustainable Development, a book by environmental philosopher Kalliprasanna Ghosh was published by Bangla Academy in 2014. This slim volume talks about environmental philosophy in ancient times, Charles Darwins theory of natural selection, nexus between ecosystem and humans, religion and environmental security, environmental ethics, peoples behaviour towards the environment, sustainable development, economic growth, social ecology, land ethics, class chauvinism and humane philosophy. The author analyses four parts of environmental philosophy intrinsic value, sources of value, subject matter of ethics and perspectival. But the global trends of development hinder sustainable development. The writer mentions that argument from ignorance, argument from disappearing beneficiaries, argument from temporal distance, utilitarian argument and right argument create a political economy and environmental degradation dynamics. Clarifying the term environmental ethics, non-human, nature-based philosophy, anthropocentrism and eco-centrism, the writer refers to population growth and non-humane behaviour as the main causes of socio-economic problems, including environmental degradation, pollution, desertification, deforestation, intensive cultivation, overutilization of grazing and other environmental problems. But sometimes that is not always true. For example, some of the most crowded countries in East Asia are the most prosperous _ Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore _ where the population density is 1,000 people per square kilometre. It depends on what policies they have taken and public participation. Kalliprasanya Ghosh explains there is a conflict always between anthropocentrism and eco-centrism. Economic pursuits of human beings are dependent on the natural environment as nature is the provider of raw materials for the production of different goods. Natural environment provides us two types of resources. Natural or material resources mineral and fossilised energy, which are extracted from the natural state at some cost to the economic agent who is involved in the extraction, as well as environmental resources clean air, water, rivers, oceans, etc, the use of which does not involve any payment as there is no market for natural goods. Apart from that, the natural environment works as a waste assimilator, as wastes are discharged into the environment without anybody having to pay for it. On the other hand, modern technology increases the use of resources and also allows us to affect the environment in many ways. Ghosh mentions how we can inject integrated environmental economy philosophy. The environment has the capability of transforming some of these wastes into useful products tree converts carbon dioxide into carbohydrates through photosynthesis. The wastes may also be rendered harmless through biogeochemical processes. These reflect the waste assimilative capacity of the environment. As a result, economic activities do not overload the assimilative capacity of the environment. However, when too many wastes are discharged into a specific environment, it cannot assimilate all that and there is environmental pollution. Pollution induces the negative externality, which is unsustainable to society, economy and environment. Then a question rises on environmental norms, ethics and philosophy. The author says politically there are six parts for sustainable development. These are: integration of environment and economy, future development aspects, environmental protection, social equality, quality of life and public participation. He emphasises that we have to save both people and nature. We want development, higher per capita income, and economic growth. But the term development does not carry the same connotation for all people _ upper, middle, working, marginal, ethnic or religious minorities. Either the extraction of development enriches the majority of people or makes some people rent-seekers. It depends on the patterns of development and public participation. The author explains that if we ensure education, health security, food and housing, as well as jobs for people, a setting may be created where the people protect and love nature. Environmental Philosophy is a great book of inclusive thoughts, which can be useful for environmental researchers, students and those who love and want to protect nature. This ethics- based book on the environment may inject philosophy among the general people for sustainable development. n The writer is an environmental analyst.