Ethical challenges in relation to nature and biodiversity
Abstract
Ladislav Rozenský*, Zdeněk Vrba, Jan Lípa and Josef Dolista
We live in a world where human activities are changing the balance of nature every day. This situation also brings specific ethical challenges. The relationship between humans and biodiversity is not only a question of nature conservation, but also of deep moral reflection. Today there is no longer any dispute that human activities have an impact on biodiversity and that our actions today shape the world for future generations. The authors of this article, after conducting research and qualitative analysis of expert sources relevant to the topic, reflect on the links between our decisions and the state of biodiversity. Historical and contemporary schools of thought that influence our behavior towards nature were explored in order to analyze how ethical theories shape conservation strategies and what dilemmas associated with this topic are faced by humanity. The qualitative analysis conducted shows that the anthropocentric strand focuses on human needs and places them at the centre of ethical considerations and that this approach can be perceived as outdated from an ethical perspective today. Science, on the other hand, can also provide the knowledge and data needed for environmental protection. Unexpected ethical dilemmas arise in the conservation of selected specific endemic species. Environmental protection must be seen as a moral obligation for humans.