Environmental Ethics

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

Page 36

industries also suffer as their cost of production is higher. There can be cooperation between big and small by ancillarisation which will benefit both. Cooperation rather than competition will likewise be beneficial in other human activities. The principle is that every one should contribute according to his fullest ability and take in return only what is essential and should not usurp the share of others depriving the weaker ones from their basic needs.
Symbiotic Physical Constituents Earth, Water etc. :
In prevedic shramanik postulations earth forms, the rocks and mountains, water forms the rivers, lakes and other water bodies, fire and air have also been included in life forms. This does not imply the organisms living in them but their molecules themselves are considered living in the same way as molecules constituting the cells of other organisms. The shramanik code of conduct lays down elaborate rules for the most frugal, austere minimum use of these resources so that no or least harm is done. Like humans, other life forms including earth, water, air and fire also have rights. The mountains also have rights and should not be deprived of their green cover resulting in erosion. Likewise the rivers have rights to be free from dirt and fifth and keep on flowing. In shramanik literature there is mention that minerals also keep growing and will not be exhausted if taken within limit of growth rate as is the case of forest which will not diminish if their produce (wood etc.) is taken within their carrying capacity i.e. the growth rate. The trees themselves drop their fruits for humans and animals. Like wise naturally dead branches are continuously dropped and trees also have age and die and can then be used. Rocks, minerals etc., likewise naturally disintegrate into lifeless molecules and can then be utilised.
Janathan Turk in his work "Introduction to environmental studies" has mentioned that coal, iron, oil, nitrogen, oxygen etc. are also renewable like trees and plants, of course on a longer time scale and will never be exhausted if human numbers and needs are kept below the level that allows the
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