Some people defend the Endangered Species Act on the grounds that it protects the beneficial consequences that humans can derive from diverse species, but critics point out that protecting species can also have harmful consequences:Where, and on what grounds, would you draw the line between a species that should be protected no matter what, and one that should not be protected?

In this discussion, you will talk about whether ethics dictate how (and which) endangered species should be protected and why, supporting your ideas with at least one ethical theory. The purpose of this discussion is to practice thinking about an environmental issue from a classically philosophical perspective.

In Chapter 2 of Des Jardins, read the discussion topic “Why Protect Endangered Species?” on pp. 21–­22. Use information from this reading, as well as other assigned texts from this Module, to answer these discussion questions from the text.

Some people defend the Endangered Species Act on the grounds that it protects the beneficial consequences that humans can derive from diverse species, but critics point out that protecting species can also have harmful consequences.

How would you determine what a species is worth?
Are some species more valuable than others?
Where, and on what grounds, would you draw the line between a species that should be protected no matter what, and one that should not be protected? (Pojman, 22)
Refer to at least one of the following ethical positions as you defend your answers: teleology, deontology, and/or utilitarianism.

Instructions

Please use spell-check and write in complete sentences. Post your initial post (no less than one full paragraph) by the third day that the discussion is open. For an A, three replies to your peers (3–5 full sentences) on three different days of the week are needed. Please also see the discussion rubric.

See the Schedule and Course Rubrics pages in the Syllabus Module for due dates and grading information.

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