The Ethics of Deforestation According to Deontology and Utilitarianism
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.
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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. Humans should also protect trees because they help to support a clean planet. 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...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.
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The Ethics of Deforestation According to Deontology and Utilitarianism. (2023, Jun 28). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-ethics-of-deforestation-according-to-deontology-and-utilitarianism/
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