Environmental Ethics

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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INTRODUCTION
Concept :
The term "Environment" has wide connotations numerous facets and ramifications. It implies not only physical or natural environment but also social environment of multitudinous relationships between individual human beings, families, societies and nations. Similar relationships exist between various life-forms among different species and species to species. There are interdependent interactions among all members including humans of biosphere which interact with constituents of physical environment. Both physical and social environments are interactive and influence to mould each other. The commonest example is of wars because of social tensions which influence very adversely the physical or natural environment. Likewise physical or natural environment influences and modifies behaviour patterns of individuals and social norms. Both are interdependent. Environment is composite, aggregate whole almost as if a single organism or a complete system, comprising infinite number of subsystems and their parts both animate and inanimate.
Man being at the top of pyramid in hierarchy of living beings has played maximum role in all aspects of environmental manifestations, affecting all other constituents, their systems, subsystems and parts. Initially man was influenced by physical environmental factors of climate, soil, water, air, place etc. and his behaviour as an individual or family, race, or nation and the various customs and cultures evolved accordingly. But with increasing exercise of his superior brain power the process reversed. The relationship
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