THE LAND ETIHIC, Jithin P Anto

The Land Ethic

The ethical structure has changed immensely over the years. The ethical criteria have been extended to many fields of human conduct. This extension of ethics, so for studied only by philosophers, is a process in ecological evolution. Its sequence can be found both in ecologically and in philosophical terms.

In the beginning ethics dealt with the relation between individuals. Later we find that it was extended to the society – democracy to integrate social organizations to the individual. There is yet no ethic dealing with man's relation to land and the animals and plants. Land is considered as property, the disposal of property is a matter of expediency, not of right and wrong. The land relation is still very economic. It entails only privileges not obligations.

The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.  Though this sounds simple when it comes as an obligation we do not possesses a brave heart.  We can be ethical only in relation to something we can see, feel, understand, love, or other ways have faith in.  The trend of evolution has not planted in us a special feeling for land.  Land is not merely soil; it is a fountain of energy flowing through a circuit of soils, plants and animals. When a change occurs in one part of the circuit, many other parts must have to adjust themselves to it. Though the change does not necessarily obstruct or divert the flow of energy because evolutionary changes are usually slow and local. Because of our over use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers many species of faunas and floras get out of bounds. And others are extinguished. Another change torches the flow of energy through plants and animals and its return to the soil. Because of improper and unorganized ways of cultivation and urbanization through deforestation, cause erosion of the soil and loses its fertility. Water which is the part of the energy circuit is polluted by industries or obstructed with dams. This excludes the plants and animals necessary to keep energy in circulation.  It is inconceivable that ethical relation to land can exist without love, respect, and admiration for land, and a high regard for its value; value in the philosophical sense. Therefore we must understand ecology well and be educated in the use of land. The use of land should be in terms of what is ethically and esthetically right. We are in need of gentler and more objective criteria for the successful use of land.