W7 Writing Assignment: Why Should We Save the Planet?
Requirements: Answer the following questions in 300-500 words each and submit your responses to the instructor using the Writing Assignment Folder in Sakai. Your document should be in a Word document format (.doc or .docx).
Please read the case starting on page 665: Why Should We Save the Planet?
Answer one of the following six questions. Please defend your answer well.
1. It sounds like redbeard_90 might think that humans doing damage to the environment is OK because it’s just a symptom of “humans transforming the planet to better suit us.”
Where is redbeard_90 placing value?
What might redbeard_90’s attitude be toward the free use conception of the human relation with the environment?
What is the domination and progress argument against worrying about saving the planet? How could that argument fit together with what redbeard_90 wrote?
2. The response by a woman named Super Nova includes this reasoning: “We should try to save the planet because there would be less people with health problems. Did you know that there are more people with respiratory problems because of all the air pollution contributing to it? Also, we should think about future generations on Earth and how it would affect our future. Also, global warming is affecting our essential natural resources like food and lakes are drying up and it is causing more droughts in the world.”
The overall tone of her answer is strong with conviction.
It sounds like Super Nova wants to save the planet. What values sit underneath her desire? Why does she think environmental protection is important?
Does it sound like she believes nature in itself has value? Why or why not?
4. The poster named scottsdalehigh64 is the most intense. He’s also fairly experienced: assuming his username is true and he graduated high school in 1964, he’s about retirement age now. He writes, “There is an alternate question: Why do we think we have a right to be so destructive to other life forms on the planet? Perhaps the best answer is that we want to leave a good place to live for the species that are left when we go extinct.”
Unlike most of the other posters, he doesn’t include any personal note or “best wishes” type line in his response. He’s focused and intense.
How much value does scottsdalehigh64 place in human existence?
Where does he place value? What does scottsdalehigh64 think is worth aiding and protecting?
Just from his words, how do you imagine scottsdalehigh64 would define “a good place to live?”
6. An excited poster, KiRa01, announces, “Just live like theres no tomorrow!!!!” With respect to the environment, justify his attitude in ethical terms.