What do we have to leave to future generations? Ethical reflections on the preservation of biocultural diversity Uta Eser, Nürtingen, Germany
@ Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen HfWU
Outline I: What kind of concept is biocultural diversity? II: What kind of duty is the preservation of biocultural diversity? III: What kind of science do we need for the performance of this duty? IV. Conclusion
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I. What kind of concept ...? ... is ‘biocultural diversity’? Fact or value: Biocultural diversity is (a fact) Biocultural diversity is good (a value) Is or Ought Biocultural diversity is (a fact) Biocultural diversity shall be (preserved) Generally, we address both dimensions when we talk about/ do research on biocultural diversity @ Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen HfWU
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II: What kind of duty...? ... is the preservation of biocultural diversity ? a matter of prudence, following the demands of reason a matter of virtue, laudable if present but not suable if absent a matter of justice towards future generations between existing generations
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A: Prudence Why should we at all care about biocultural diversity? “You don’t cut off the branch on which you are sitting” not a question of morals simply a question of reason But Those, who’re holding the saws are not the same ones as those who’re sitting on the branches Î Prudence turns into justice
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B: Virtue Preservation of Biocultural Diversity: ‘nice to have’ or ‘must’? Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations (“the invisible hand of the market”) 1759, Theory of Moral Sentiments, on the difference between justice and charity: Charity is always voluntary, its absence does not require punishment Justice is a stronger obligation. Unjust behaviour asks for retaliation.
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From Virtue to Moral Obligation “We do not inherit the Earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children” Turnabout of perspectives: from heritage to debt To leave something to your children and grand children is a matter of virtue, not of duty A person who wastes her fortune is a fool, not a sinner. To return what you owe to a person is a moral obligation. Borrowing something and not returning it (in full working order) will be condemned a fraud. @ Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen HfWU
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C: A matter of justice The term ‘heritage’ addresses the concern about future generations Resistance of G77 in the negotiations preceding the CBD. Incriminated wording of the Brundtland Report: biological diversity as “a common heritage” Genetic resources and means for their utilisation are not distributed equally on the globe Needs of present generations have to be met, too!
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Justice in the CBD »The objectives of this convention (...) are the conservation of biological diversity the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources (...) « CBD 1992, article 1
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III: What kind of Science do we need? “Science” is equated with: expert knowledge facts
Preservation of biocultural diversity requires: local knowledge value orientation
rationality
coping with uncertainty
impartiality
participation
objective truth
autonomous individuals modest scientists
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Biocultural Diversity Science is policy oriented has to address empirical and normative aspects discloses its value foundations and ethical preferences and communicates them as such (i.e. as preferences) in the scientific as well as in the public debate participates in public discourses about how we want to live accepts the limits of scientific expertise and poses the normative ideal of justice at its centre @ Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen HfWU
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What do we have to leave to future generations? Knowledge: It’s the only good that doubles when you share it Communication: It’s the only way to understand, what is important to others and to find fair solutions for tough distributive problems Sympathy: It’s the most human and morally relevant way to relate to other human beings Justice: It’s the fundament for a functioning society, a sustainable economy and the realisation of human dignity @ Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen HfWU
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Thank you for your attention!
Dr. Uta Eser E-Mail:
[email protected] URL: www.hfwu.de/ku
@ Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen HfWU
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