Introduction
p. 1-6
Texte intégral
The philosophical task is to try to provide adequate justification, or at least clear the way for a scheme of values according to which concern for our environment is immediate and natural, and the desirability of protecting and preserving wilderness self evident. When once controversial propositions become platitudes, the philosophical task will have been successful.
Godfrey Smith – 1980
1The problem of environmental sustenance – that is, the problem of managing environmental resources without compromising the welfare of the species that inhabit an ecosystem – is one of the cardinal challenges facing humankind. This problem is becoming more complicated with every passing day as the environment loses its capacity for self-renewal, and becomes incapable of supporting the living species within its ecosystem. The manifestations of environmental crisis are: industrial and nuclear pollution, land degradation and desertification, depletion of the protective ozone layer, tropical deforestation and other signs that reveal the incapacity of nature to retain the stability that hitherto was its defining feature.
2Two inter-related factors are generally attributed to the prevailing environmental problems: unmoderated scientific and technological innovation and uncontrolled population growth, particularly in Africa where advances in medicine have helped to reduce the infant mortality rate.1 It is appropriate to argue that the environmental problem is a result of civilization; that ‘the raping of nature and the civilizing of man go hand-in-hand’ (Jonas, 1984: 2).
3Due to the gravity of the problem and the issues at stake, discourse on the environment needs to be interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary. The physical sciences need to supply empirical and technical information on how the environment has been depleted; while the social sciences and the humanities look at the social and cultural factors that have affected the environment. Every intellectual discipline should react to the environmental problems. The present study seeks to approach the subject from the philosophical perspective.
4Diverse studies on the problem of the environment agree that the crisis is a reflection of a scientific venture not adequately managed by philosophical wisdom (Wiredu, 1991: 8). A similar position (Choucri, 1993: xvi) regards the problem as a result of the distinction made between human beings and nature, between natural and social conditions, and between social and scientific knowledge. This differentiation is responsible for the mismanagement of natural resources.
5The task of the philosophical discipline in environmental discourse is to reconcile scientific innovation with social values; to mediate between the urge to develop technologically and the need to protect the environment for both present and future generations. The philosophical enterprise by its nature must respond to the inherent conflict between the desire to develop technologically and the duty not to endanger the species within the ecosystem. This is basically an ethical question. In this study the argument is that an ethical dimension is necessary for the sustenance of the environment in Africa.
Objectives of the Study
6The prevailing environmental crisis is a reflection of the lack of an adequate ethic of the environment in the global culture. Disregard for the environment may be largely attributed to the anthropocentric metaphysics propagated by Western culture. By anthropocentrism we mean a scheme of values where the human being is the highest form of life and other beings are means and instruments for satisfying human desires. The ethical dimension of anthropocentrism is the view that only humans have moral rights, while other species do not. This anthropocentric ethic is seen by many as being responsible for the unrestrained and careless global exploitation of the natural resources.
7Having accepted that a ‘healthy conceptual and ethical environment is a necessary condition for a healthy physical environment’ (Shraeder-Frechette, 1985: 97), this study argues that an environmental ethic is imperative for regenerating and maintaining the African ecosystem. The choice of Africa as our context is informed by relative neglect of the issue of environment in that continent (Salau, 1992: 1), despite the prevailing environmental crisis in the continent. The second reason for choosing Africa is to stimulate a debate on the environment among Africans.
8Roland Engel in an introduction to the book: Ethics of Environment and Development describes the role that philosophy, and ethics in particular, can play in achieving a sustainable environment. These include:
- evaluate and analyse the cultural basis of moral codes and value schemes, their functions and effects on the relationships between humans and natural resources
- stimulate the human conscience and a sense of morality by appealing to traditional cultures and religions for the ultimate goal of environmental sustenance
- clarify moral alternatives and analyse implications to guide policy decisions
- resolve conflicts between values in the discourse on the environment, to reinforce the appropriate values to guide actions and policies
- forge a new social paradigm to promote a sustainable environment (Engel, 1990: 2-8)
9The present study aims at developing evidence to support the need for environmental ethics in Africa. Those aspects of the social and cultural foundation of our value system that relate to the environment, therefore, will be analysed. The objective is to raise the awareness of the peoples of Africa towards the importance of preserving their natural resources; to analyse and clarify moral alternatives; to resolve conflicting values that relate to the environment; to recommend appropriate ethical positions that will encourage sustainable development to policy makers; and finally to help in forging a new social paradigm that will lead to an ethically based environmental order in the continent.
10The analysis in this study will be guided by the following questions:
- Given the assumption that the prevailing environmental crisis demands a stronger sense of moral concern for natural resources, what is the response of the African peoples to this very pressing challenge?
- Ethics demand altruism and the sacrifice of one’s interests for the sake of the community. Can such an attitude be cultivated by African peoples in spite of the present economic depression and political crises that affect almost all of sub-Saharan Africa?
- What role can a transformation of values and attitudes play in the movement for achieving environmental sustenance? How can ecocentric values, attitudes and ethics be developed into a systematic philosophy that will form the bedrock of the new environmental order in Africa?
- Can beliefs in the spiritual nature of non human resources and the ancestral world in traditional Africa be developed to forge an environmentally conscious value system in contemporary Africa?
- What aspects of African cultures and social norms are detrimental to the objectives of sustainable environments? How can various negative values and attitudes be replaced by more environmental! y friendly ones?
Methodological Clarification
11Two significant factors determine the methodology employed in any research: the nature of the problem to be solved and the orientation of the researcher. The present research is both a theoretical and an empirical analysis of the nature of the relationship between human beings and the environment. An analysis of the issues involved in the quest for an environmental ethic is necessary not only to enrich the discourse on environmental issues and put them in their proper perspective, but also to define the objectives of this research.
12Since the objective of this research is also to test the validity of the hypothesis that environmental depletion is a product of an anthropocentric culture and ethic, there is need for empirical verification to determine whether the conduct of Nigerians is detrimental or beneficial to the survival of natural resources. To this end, first-hand information was derived through personal interviews with people in selected areas of Nigeria. Four areas in Nigeria were chosen, two to represent the urban community and the other two, the rural community.
13The two urban areas chosen for this research are located in Isolo and Surulere Local Governments in Lagos State and the two rural areas are in Yewa North and Yewa South Local Governments in Ogun State. The rationale behind the choice of these areas is to verify the claim that a moral attitude can promote or endanger natural resources.
14For field work, two methods were adopted: the participant observation method and the oral interview method. The activities of the people within the research area were observed for a period of time in order to know how their cultural values and sense of morality influenced the use of the environment. Many of the individuals and corporate bodies whose activities affect the natural environment were also interviewed, in an informal setting, in order to discover their moral attitudes to the environment.
Notes de bas de page
1 It should be mentioned, however, that medical science has developed birth control pills and devices to help regulate population growth.
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