Chapter one introduces the topic and outlines chapters two, three, four and five. Chapter two discusses environmental ethics in the light of the three notions of the environment, namely, instrumental value, intrinsic value and the inherent worth. This chapter also discusses philosophical theories of ethics, viz. a consequence-based theory, which is, Utilitarianism, principle-based theories and a philosophical principle of stewardship. Chapter three discusses the trajectory of sustainable development with respect to selected international events. This chapter also shows how the paradigm of sustainable development has peen embraced in nation states, with a special reference to South Africa. Chapter four critically analyses South Africa's environmental law and its macroeconomic policy, GEAR, in the light of environmental ethics. Chapter five synthesises discussions raised in the preceding chapters and offers some insights as to how policy-making pertaining to environment and development can be improved by incorporating a holistic approach of environmental ethics. Chapter six summarises discussions that emerged in chapters one, two, three, four and five. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research project has been purposed at shedding light and bringing clarity and practical resolution to the ethical dilemma brought about by seemingly incompatible principles and value positions associated with the two contentious issues: social development and nature conservation. In view of exposing the contentions between the two above-mentioned value positions, this project has pitted anthropocentrism against biocen trism / ecocen trism. However, as alluded to in this research, many people in developing countries, South Africa included, are victims of poverty and hunger which need redress. Unfortunately the alleviation of the same has been made possible through ruthless exploitation and maximum expansion of natural resources and in the process, the environment suffered much. However, with social development, the natural environment is often sacrificed and conversely with the protection and preservation of nature, man is then condemned to destitution. With the introduction and the case expose forming the introduction of this research project in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 is devoted to the research methodology used throughout this project. Also, given the problem statement, endeavours to search for answers to the central questions are outlined. An analysis of the case study is also made in this chapter. Chapter 3 deals with the weighing of the classical dilemmas namely: anthropocentrism versus biocentrism / ecocentrism and this further entails the notion of justice versus conservation pertaining the case in point. These classical dilemmas are put into critical perspective in Chapter 4 wherein monistic value approaches are exposed in terms of their failures. Precisely, the either-or choices following from pure theoretical principles are put into question with reference to the case under discussion. An alternative, namely the pragmatic approach, which maintains a multiplicity of values, is hereby brought into play. Chapter 5 entails a critical appraisal of the decision to be taken by the Makhado Municipality Council with regard to the development of the shopping complex or the protection of the indigenous tree sanctuary. In conclusion, recommendations and suggestions are stated within the context of the case in point. However, it is imperative to note that these recommendations and suggestions should be read in conjunction with one another, and not in isolation from one another. Furthermore, the same should not in anyway be indiscriminately used as a universal standard in any similar or related case. Further research on this ethical debate is encouraged. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsingsprojek is om helderheid en 'n praktiese oplossing te kry met betrekking tot die etiese dilemma wat voortspruit uit die oeriskynlik onversoenbare beginsels en waardeposisies wat geassosieer word met twee omstrede kwessies, naamlik sosiale ontwikkeling en natuurbewaring. Met die oog daarop om die kwelpunte rondom bogenoemde twee waardeposisies aan die lig te bring, stel hierdie projek antroposentrisme teenoor biosentrisme / ekosentrisme. Baie mense in ontwikkelende lande, insluitend Suid-Afrika, IS slagoffers van armoede en hongersnood, soos aangedui word in die loop van hierdie navorsing. Hierdie situasie noodsaak regs telling. Pogings om verligting te bring in hierdie verband, lei egter tot die genadelose eksploitasie en maksimum ontwikkeling van natuurlike hulpbronne. In hierdie proses word die omgewing ernstig beskadig. Die ongelukkige toedrag van sake is dus dat sosiale ontwikkeling dikwels geskied ten koste van die omgewing, terwyl die beskerming en bewaring van die omgewing op sy beurt dikwels die mens behoeftig laat. Hoofstuk 1 van hierdie navorsingsprojek bevat 'n inleiding en beskrywing van die geval onder bespreking, terwyl Hoofstuk 2 gewy word aan die navorsingsmetodologie wat in hierdie projek gebruik word. Dit bevat ook 'n skets van die pogings om antwoorde te soek op die sentrale vrae van die probleemstelling, en 'n analise van die gevallestudie. In Hoofstuk 3 word die klassieke dilemmas wat verband hou met die betrokke probleem opgeweeg, naamlik antroposentrisme teenoor biosentrismej ekosentrisme, en die idee van geregtigheid teenoor die idee van bewaring. Bogenoemde klassieke dilemmas word in 'n kritiese lig beskou in Hoofstuk 4 deurdat die tekortkominge van monistiese waardebenaderings uitgewys word. Die 6f-6f keuses wat volg uit suiwer teoretiese beginsels word bevraagteken met verwysing na die geval onder bespreking. 'n Pleidooi word uiteindelik gelewer vir 'n alternatiewe pragmatiese benadering wat eerder 'n veelheid van waardes betrek. Hoofstuk 5 bevat 'n kritiese beoordeling van die keuse wat die Makhado Munisipaliteitsraad moet maak tussen die ontwikkeling van 'n winkelkompleks of die beskerming van 'n inheemse boomreservaat. Ter afsluiting word aanbevelings en voorstelle gemaak in verband met die kwessie onder bespreking. Dit is egter belangrik om daarop te let dat hierdie aanbevelings en voorstelle nie apart van mekaar beskou moet word nie, maar eerder saam gelees moet word. Dit is verder ook belangrik dat die aanbevelings en voorstelle wat met betrekking tot hierdie geval gemaak word nie sonder meer gebruik moet word as 'n universele standaard vir soortgelyke of verwante gevalle nie. Verdere navorsing oor hierdie etiese debat word aangemoedig.

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Jonkershoek is a scenic valley situated on the south-eastern periphery of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The study area of around 62 square kilometres has a pleasant rural atmosphere that can be ascribed to a unique combination of cultural and natural elements. It is in the national interest that these characteristics be preserved for posterity. This study represents an investigation into the viability of the sustainable utilisation of the valley, for the benefit of current and future residents and visitors alike. Firstly, a study was made of different approaches in environmental ethics in an effort to find a frame of reference against which people make decision that impact on the environment. The regulatory and planning framework was assessed to establish whether it was sufficient to protect the environment and people. A population profile was compiled to form a picture of the socio-economic conditions in the valley. Finally, a survey was conducted by testing the needs and expectation of residents against several development and conservation issues. Practitioners from the planning field were also involved in this survey. Resource conservation and development seems to be the most appropriate ethical approach for sustainable development. However, sustainable utilisation will only be possible if a balance is found between economic efficiency, environmental integrity and human well-being. It has been established that sufficient measures are in place to protect people and the environment and that integrated development planning was instrumental in this regard. The biggest shortcoming was on economic level and this is reflected in the socio-economic gap between landowners and previously disadvantaged communities. The sustainable utilisation of the Jonkershoek valley is attainable, on condition that the identified shortcomings are addressed through the utilisation of existing and potential development and conservation opportunities. In this assignment a number of suggestions are made that could promote this process. The sustainable utilisation of the Jonkershoek valley is an attainable ideal that requires the dedication of the entire community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Jonkershoek is 'n skilderagtige vallei suidoos van Stellenbosch in die Wes-Kaap. Die studiegebied, wat ongeveer 62 vierkante kilometer beslaan, het 'n aangenarne landelike atmosfeer wat toegeskryf kan word aan 'n buitengewone kombinasie van kulturele en natuurlike elemente. Dit is in nasionale belang dat hierdie kenmerke vir die nageslag bewaar word. In hierdie studie word ondersoek ingestel na die lewensvatbaarheid van die volhoubare benutting van die Jonkershoekvallei, tot voordeel van huidige en toekomstige inwoners en besoekers. Daar is eerstens gekyk na verskillende benaderinge in orngewingsetiek, in 'n soeke na 'n verwysingsraamwerk waarteen die mens besluite neem wat die omgewing raak. 'n Bevolkingsprofiel van die inwoners is saamgestel om 'n beeld te form van sosio-ekonorniese toestande in die vallei. Verder is gekyk of die wetlike en beplanningsraamwerk voldoende is om die omgewing te beskerm. 'n Opname is gemaak deur die verwagtinge en behoeftes van inwoners te toets aan die hand van verskeie ontwikkelings- en bewaringsvraagstukke. Praktisyns uit die beplanningsveld is ook betrek by die opname. Hulpbron bewaring en ontwikkeling blyk die mees toepaslike etiese vertrekpunt te wees vir volhoubare ontwikkeling. Volhoubare benutting is egter slegs moonlik indien 'n balans gevind kan word tussen ekonomiese doeltreffendheid, omgewings-integriteit en menslike welstand. Daar is bevind dat voldoende maatreels in plek is om die mens en die omgewing te beskerm en dat geintegreerde ontwikkelingsbeplanning instrumenteel is in hiedie opsig. Die grootste tekortkoming Ie op ekonomiese vlak en word veral gemanifesteer in 'n sosio-ekonomiese gaping tussen grondeienaars en voorheen benadeelde gemeenskappe. Die volhoubare benutting van die Ionkershoekvallei is wei haalbaar, op voorwaarde dat die ge"identifiseerde tekortkomige aangespreek word deur van bestaande en potensiele ontwikkelings- en bewaringsgeleenhede gebruik te maak. In hierdie werkstuk word 'n aantal voorstelle gemaak wat hierdie proses kan bevorder. Die volhoubare benutting van die Jonkershoekvallei is dus 'n haalbare ideaal maar vereis dat dit aktief nagesteef word deur die hele gerneenskap.