Ecocentrism is the view that:
A All animals with a nervous system are equal.
B Means the same thing as Kant’s categorical imperative.
C A local ecosystem is more important to consider than one further away.
D An entire ecosystem can have moral value.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is D: An entire ecosystem can have moral value.
Ecocentrism is an ethical perspective that argues for the intrinsic value of ecosystems as a whole, including all living and non-living components. Unlike anthropocentric views, which place human interests at the center, or biocentrism, which focuses on individual organisms’ rights or welfare, ecocentrism places moral value on entire ecosystems. This approach asserts that the ecosystem, with its intricate balance of species, habitats, and natural processes, deserves ethical consideration in itself, regardless of its direct benefit to humans or other creatures.
Ecocentrism can be seen as an extension of deep ecology, a philosophy developed by Arne Naess in the 1970s, which emphasized that human beings are part of a larger ecological community, and all components of the natural world have inherent worth. This view counters more reductionist approaches that treat the environment as a collection of individual parts with value primarily determined by their utility to humans.
For example, an ecocentric perspective would argue that the destruction of a rainforest is wrong not only because it may harm species living there or cause climate imbalances but because the ecosystem itself—its biodiversity, physical processes, and interconnections—has intrinsic moral value. Ecocentrism calls for environmental protection and conservation efforts that prioritize the health of entire ecosystems, advocating for policies and practices that maintain ecological integrity rather than focusing only on individual species or short-term human needs.
This perspective challenges traditional utilitarianism, which often measures value based on human-centered utility, and instead emphasizes that nature’s value extends beyond human interests, contributing to sustainability and holistic environmental stewardship.
Here is an image representing the concept of ecocentrism, illustrating the harmony and interconnectedness of an entire ecosystem. This visual conveys the idea that the ecosystem as a whole has intrinsic moral value, not just the individual parts of it.