Environmental Ethics

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

Page 71

RATIONALITY
An essential pre-requisite :
Rational is what is based on sound reason and is best in a given situation relating to the subject or the object, place, time and intent. Rational attitude and behaviour is that which is beneficial to all and cause no or least harm to any of the constituents of environment both animate and inanimate. Human beings, the homo-sapiens have superior power of reasoning. Ever since its evolution mankind has been questioning, analysing, synthesising and reasoning the various phenomena in nature all around and evolving, synchronising attitudinal and behavioural patterns, modes, ethos and life styles. Initially the Paleolithic man had very limited needs of food, clothing and shelter and got all that was required from abundant natural forests covering the entire surface of the planet earth then. The population was automatically checked proportionate and commensurate to available food. Extravagant vulgar consumerism prevalent now was non-existent. It is not rational to be cruel to other life-forms and physical constituents of environment because all constituents are essential part of nature, the whole system, all playing their useful roles for mutual benefit to sustain and maintain the system. It is irrational to exploit other constituents beyond their carrying capacity by unbridled proliferation in numbers (population explosion) and unsatiable consumerism. To attribute unlimited number of children (even beyond one's capacity to support) as gift of imaginary God is not rational. It is also not rational to attribute various phenomena to will of some super power and ignore the principle of cause and effect. Rationality enjoins proper analysis of phenomena, their
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