Land Ethic and environmental justice: Reflections about human beings’ responsibility in current developments from a social and philosophical approach

Abstract

For some decades, the deterioration of ecosystems and the biotic world in general has been exposed, emphasising the scientific-technical aspect of the subject. However, the analysis lacks a philosophical ground that allows a holistic view on human’s failure to counteract the harmful effects of industrialization and large-scale urbanisation. This research aims to approach the discussion through the review of Aldo Leopold’s pioneering work called Land Ethic, where in a completely new dialectic twist at the time, human beings lose their central role as rulers of nature to become just one more of its members. From this intrinsic human responsibility, thinkers such as Attfield, Jonas, Rawls, and Habermas, reflect on common social welfare agreements, where social and environmental justice are the centre of the debate, considering the current and future wellbeing of society and the biotic community.