Util and Kant Response to Environmental Ethics

Utilitarianism:
Hedonic calculus in separate situations (quantitative, Bentham)
Worth noting Mill considered enjoyment and study of nature top of list of higher pleasures so preservation of environment would be important.
Singer - Pref util. Gives example of electric dam over gorge - good as it creates employment and is an energy source but bad as would destroy habitats and a good hiking location etc.
considers interest of all sentient creatures
lays particular interest on future generations (their preferences matter too)
In general utilitarianism should consider future gens. for example burning fossil fuels might benefit people today but the negative effects of future gens (global warming etc.) would far outweigh todays pleasures.
plants have no intrinsic worth as they are not sentient
May be able to argue preserving rainforests etc. so long as it sentient beings' welfare is maximised in some way.
Singer gives hierarchy of values - humans at top, being most sentient…

Get Revising