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Social development versus saving nature? : a case study in environmental ethics

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.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/49787
Date12 1900
CreatorsMagosha, Tendani Amos
ContributorsHattingh, J. P., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Philosophy.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format99 p.
RightsStellenbosch University

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