Blog 17--last one!

The final presentations of our class have broadened from the single topic of lifeboat ethics. Deep versus shallow ecology, Paul Taylor, Biocentrism, and the meat or mercy debate were just a few of the diverse topics chosen.

Even though Michelle discussed lifeboat ethics, she went in-depth on its history, including in it the discussion of the 3 main choices that we can make and Midgley’s opinion. Bethany and Emily contrasted deep versus shallow ecology, highlighting Arne Naess’ view. They both discussed the need for change and how the decisions that we make affect all of nature. They also emphasized the need for greater respect towards all living things. Alice went on to deliberate on Paul Taylor and biocentrism. She discussed his 3 main theories and included Kant’s view in her paper as well. Ashley discussed the differing views of on animals, specifically the meat or mercy debate. She included the similarities of slavery and the issue of factory farming in her paper. She also discussed the differences and benefits of family versus factory farming.

One of the presentations that I felt very strongly about was Joel’s life boat/overpopulation topic. As a solution to the problem of overpopulation, he says that we need to limit the amount of children people have and refrain from treating people with medications that will only prolong their life.  I think his topic brought up some very interesting points. I also think that he chose a paper topic that is very controversial and deserves a lot of thought and an analysis of our own individual beliefs.

Overall, I have found these presentations to be interesting and informative. I have found that hearing the information again has helped me to retain much of what we have learned this semester.

last panel discussions

Fridays panel discussions were by the most interesting out of all the discussions. The two that were my favorite topics were the ones about antibiotic resistance bacteria, and the presentation about controlling the population. However as Lacey said I was not aware that antibiotic resistance also is prevalent in animals as well as humans. I found this topic to be very interesting and more scientific based than the other ones.

I also really enjoyed listening to the discussion about controlling the population. I however do not agree with everything that he said, such as the idea of limiting family sizes and not treating the sick. However he supported this reason by very supportive background. I believe his topic caused the most discussion over the past classes for discussion.

I am really glad we did the panel discussions related to our papers. I feel like as if by listening to everyone’s opinions it helped me to understand some of the topics presented by the philosophers. I feel like I have learned a lot from this class and I am glad I took it. It has made me have a better sense for the environment and how all of the living beings in the environment are treated and viewed.

Blog 17: Last Blog

Since we didnt have much time to discuss on Wednesday, I fely like today helped because we tied in deep and shallow ecology along witht eh lifeboat ethics. Today's presentaions were really thought out and the presenters knew what they were talking about and were very interested in their topic. Of course on the last day, a nice panel discussion arises about the population of earth and what it will be like in years to come. I honestly wish the argument lasted longer just so I could hear what else would have been said. I like how he put deep ecology into a certain example and then explained how we think deep ecology is the best route but when it is put into situation it is wrong and an uproar starts. Friday was the first day no one did a topic of the Lifeboat ethics which was nice to see a change in topics and veyr different topics.

Overall these presentations allowed me to think and see what other people think about ecological ethics and see what topic intereseted them after reading Kohak and Midgley. The presentations gave a different feel to the class becuase we could actually here what the classmates think about a certain issue in the environment today. Even though I took the class becase it fit with my schedule, I am kind of glad I took the class to get a a better feel for the environment and how humans today treat the enviornment and the things that live in the environment.

Blog #17

Today's panel discussions were byfar the most interesting thus far.  There were a couple controversial topics that I am not sure I agree with, but I did understand where my classmates were coming from.  The major one that I was really shocked about was from Joel.  I understand that he was taking a deep ecological stand point that focuses on the overall stability of the Earth, but I think it was misunderstood.  I think everyone thought that he was stating his opinion on the matter, but he was just making it known of the problem that exists.  I was not aware that the Earth could only contain a certain amount of people.  And when he stated that it was ridiculous to treat people who only had a few more years to live, I thought that was rather harsh, but it was only to make a point.  I found that presentation very interesting. 

Another presentation that caught my attention was the one on the anitibiotic resistance bacteria.  I was not aware than this was also prevalent in animals as well.  As a nursing major, I am aware of the common problem of resistant bacteria from my microbiology class, but did not really see the connection that animals and humans had with this phenomnenon. 

Overall, I believe the panel discussions were very beneficial to me.  I feel like they helped me understand some of the topics presented by the philosophers.  The way the information was presented and the way the questions were asked enabled my understanding of the topics discussed in environmental ethics to expand.  I feel like I will take the information gained from this semester's class and hopefully apply it to the world around me.

Blog 17

Today's discussions were very interesting. I enjoyed getting to hear about some topics that had not been overly discussed yet. My was very interested in the paper on an anthropocentric view of factory farming. The points that were made were very pertinent and I really liked being given alternate reasons for wanting an end to factory farming besides the animal-rights issue. I think that, unfortunately, these types of human-centered arguments are the ones that have the most chance of reaching people on a large scale.

I also enjoyed hearing the panelists talk about the GAIA hypothesis and the Land Ethic. Those were two topics in the book that I thought were interesting, and I thought the panelists did a good job of presenting their ideas.

Lastly: the topics that were focused on deep ecology. The paper about controlling the population and letting nature behave the way it was meant to really stirred up some heated discussions. I thought this topic was very interesting because it is not a topic I'm used to hearing about - and I'm certainly not used to hearing the point of view that was presented. Although I have to disagree with the idea of limiting family sizes and not treating the sick, I think the panelist did a good job of helping me to understand why someone would adopt this point of view. Rationally, it makes sense to say we should let survival of the fittest play out, but ethically I believe it would be wrong. Now that we have the ability to help people through medications and other forms of aid, I think that refusing anyone that help would be amoral. However, I can see why someone would say otherwise, and I think the argument was presented in a way that made it more clear to me, no matter what my own opinions are.

Overall, I think everyone did a great job with their panel presentations and with responding to some tough questions.

Blog #17

I think that the presentations are going extremely well. Everyone did a great job. Today was very interesting with the debate that went on. I actually thought it was really good that it happened, becuase it answered some questions that I was confused about. For example, one of them talked about over population and even gave an example that if somebody had cancer and was going to die in two years then they are thinking all about themselves when they are trying to live for those next two years, becuase they are using up things that others could be using who are not dying. Then the girl had asked him if those two years did not mean anything to a persons life, it made me wonder the same thing. I believe that even though you are dying and do not have much time to live, each day is a blessing to still be alive, and I do not think they are being ungrateful. I believe everybody would care about themselves before they would somebody else. I was also suprised to hear that he wants to be a doctor. This topic was by far the most interesting one, plus, it was different.

Still a lot of people did the lifeboat ethics so there is not much more to talk about the presentations other than it went really well. This class made me open my eyes to the different things that we had learned. I do not think I would have every thought of any of this if it was not for this class. Listening to other poeples thougths during the presentations also was an eye opener, it was cool to hear their views and beleifs. I have a completely different respect for animals and nature.

17-Last Blog!

I'm going to be very honest. I really do not have much to say on this blog. Everyone has done a great job on presenting. I have found it very interesting to hear everyones different opinions on each of the topics. Somedays our class ends up having a very good discussion. Although we did not get to finsih presentations on Wednesday due to the tornado warning, I think all of the presenters were wonderful! Overall, I can say I have really enjoyed this class and have a different out look on nature and how we treat animals.