Questions I thought of while composing the parables.


What is the nature of man's relationship to nature?

Is man an intrinsic part of nature?

What part?

What is man's role within the greater context of nature?

What is nature's role within the greater context of man's consciousness.

In viewing nature from an anthropocentric sense, should genetic similitude
be sufficient justification for making ethical decisions regarding how to
behave toward different species, genera, families, kingdoms, phyla?

Given that man can be characterized as homo sapiens, endowed with reasoning
capabilities, the ability to control him/herself, and exert some level of
control over aspects of nature, at what point should man prevent himself
from exercising this control?  A Promethean quandary.

Given that the mere presence of man within a wild area will impact that
area - for which the bear attack is one rather extreme example - does man
have an ethical responsibility to restrict him/herself from some wildlands -
not necessarily for the sake of conservation (this is again
anthropocentric), but for the sake of the wildlands themselves?

Given that passionate decisions are not considered evil, what of rational
decisions that end in the same result?


___________________________
Richard Haimann, P.E.
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.haimann.com



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion forum for environmental ethics.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Lisa Dangutis
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 7:16 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: bear quandary
>
>
> Hi,
>
>    In this parable there is a basic need for survival. Are we questioning
> whether the ethics should come into focus before or after the
> basic survival
> instinct?
>
>
>
> In a message dated 01/23/02 8:34:47 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
> I shot a bear last summer.

> > I was hiking just outside of Talkeetna,
> > a small village in Alaska.
> >
> > The weather was beautiful.  It was sunny,
> > the arctic wildflowers were in
> > bloom.
> >
> > I was told to carry a rifle if I wanted
> > to go for a hike.
> >
> > So I did.
> >
> > I didn't expect the bear.  I saw no
> > droppings.  I heard no noise.
> >
> > I suppose the bear didn't expect me either.
> >
> > But, around the bend in the small trail I
> > was on, there it was, foraging.
> >
> > It looked up and, in a moment was rushing
> > at me, growling, mouth agape,
> > speeding up.
> >
> > I just reacted.
> >
> > I lifted the rifle, cocked, and shot.
> >
> > The bear dropped.
> >
> > Its last breath sounded quite horrible.
> >
> > I still hear it in some of my more
> > uncomfortable dreams.
> >
> > The Fish and Game warden came out,
> > took a look, and took a statement.
> >
> > The local folks came out, divided
> > up the meat and fur, and disposed of the
> > rest.
> >
> > I still feel bad.

Although I do not know what else I could have done.

Perhaps, I shouldn't have even gone there.

Perhaps that land belongs to the bear.

> > I still love being in the wild places.
> >
> > I am glad the wild places are not empty.
> >
> > I hope I am not evil.
> > Ok.
> >
> >  I lived in AK 1982-88, and had quite a few outdoor adventures.
> >
> >  True.  The only way to fell a charging grizzly (browns
> wouldn't be found
> >  outside Talkeetna - they are coastal) is to shoot it directly
> in its open
> >  mouth, thus breaking its spine through the back of its throat,
> or shoot it
> >  in the eye, thus rendering its central nervous system
> unusable.  A single
> >  bullet elsewhere is not likely to incapacitate it.
> >
> >
> >  So, let's add a bit to the parable and quandry.  Still include
> the prior
> >  parts:
> >
> >
> >  As the bear charged, I did not shake, I did not shudder.
> >
> >  I thought momentarily of where my shot should go to fell the bear.
> >
> >  I lifted my rifle and shot it dead in the eye.
> >
> >  My aim was true.
> >
> >  I felt cold, dispassionate, and in control.
> >
> >  Afterward, when the bear dropped, I felt a surge of relief,
> and an uneasy
> >  queer feeling in my gut.
> >
> >  My limbs began to shake.  If another bear had charged at that moment, I
> >  would certainly have been killed.
> >
> >  But one did not.
> >
> >  The forest was quiet except for the buzzing of a few mosquitos
> by my ear.
> >
> >  I hope I am not evil.
> >
> >
> >
> >