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Instructions
Unit 2 Assignment
This assignment will be five pages (1500 words) maximum.
Title: “Ecological Ethics and Economics: Clash of Worldviews”
Describe briefly (no more than a paragraph) an economic issue related to the environment from the Canadian news media and then explain how the critique of the economic topic in terms of a biocentric and an ecocentric ethical view sheds new or different light onto the issue. You should present the biocentric and ecocentric critiques in separate sections of the paper, so that their differences in analysis are easy to identify (this will be the hardest part of the essay for many, but do not be dismayed. If in doubt, I am here to offer help).
Your analysis should show how the theories challenge people to rediscover the moral sense of nature. In other words, do not treat this as only hypothetical and impossible to accomplish, but rather as possible and persuasive—i.e., as a practical activity. In your essay, you must make extensive use of the course readings from Unit One and Unit Two.
Please attach the news article you are using to your essay.
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Instructions
This assignment will be seven pages (2000 words) maximum.
Title: “Ethics, Environment, and Social Reform.”
You will compare the “Earth Charter” (EC) with the “Blue River Quorum Declaration” (BRQD) in your essay. As has been the norm in the course, linking previous readings and discussions from Units One and Unit Two, along with the readings of Unit Three is expected as part of your interpretive work. Your paper will explain if you think one of the two declarations (EC and BRQD) is more effective, or if both are necessary, for the application of an ecological ethic? Explain why. In your discussion account for these four concerns:
What are the different contexts that are assumed for each document: that there are different contexts from which to see and enact ethical positions means what for personal preferences as a point of contention in ethical discussions?
What types of ethical discourse and behaviour are used to persuade the reader? Do they tap into the moral sense of nature?
What are the strengths and benefits of each document?
Should ethics be social or merely personal/private? What do these documents teach us about this question?
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Instructions
This assignment will be approximately nine pages (2700 words).
Title: “Persuasive Ethics: Learning to Think of the Land and Live Ethically With It.”
This assignment theme will give your essay unity : How does one apply ecological ethical ideas? This theme should be interpreted in terms of the assignment title about persuasion. Your essay should have three parts:
A: In roughly 1400 words, explain why Leopold does not propose an ethical theory but rather a worldview. Define five virtues articulated in Leopold’s moral worldview with reference to specific texts (and supplemented by other course texts). How might these virtues be persuasively communicated today?
B: In about 1000 words, answer these two questions: What is it about Wahkohtowin that makes its ethical worldview morally appealing? What makes Wahkohtowin unlikely to be a motivating ethical worldview today? As part of your answers, use the language of virtues to help you communicate your argument. Be practical in your answer. Make reference to the moral sense of nature.
C: Conclude this assignment with an appendix of 300 words, where you rewrite your ethical stance toward the natural world. How do you justify this stance? What principles guide your actions? Make sure to articulate good, strong, clear arguments.
