ENVR 200 Intro to Environmental Ethics

Number of Sections: 1 | Day and Time: T & TH (19:00-20:40 ICT)

Course Description

Introduction to Environmental Ethics examines the moral principles and philosophical frameworks that shape how humans understand, value, and interact with the natural world. The course investigates fundamental questions at the heart of sustainability: What obligations do humans have toward non-human life (human-nature interaction), ecosystems, and future generations? How should ethical reasoning guide our response to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice?

Students will engage with a range of ethical traditions, including anthropocentrism, sentientism, biocentrism, ecocentrism, pragmatism, Indigenous worldviews, and ecofeminism, to explore how moral perspectives influence environmental decision-making. Readings will include both classic philosophical texts and contemporary interdisciplinary studies that connect ethics to sustainability science, environmental justice, and global policy frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Emphasizing critical thinking and practical application, the course bridges theory with real-world issues. Through case studies, class debates, and reflective exercises, students will analyze topics such as climate ethics, sustainable living, technological responsibility, and the global “polycrisis” of interconnected environmental and social crises. By the end of the course, students will have developed a grounded ethical perspective to guide their personal choices, professional practices, and contributions to a more sustainable and just planet.

Prerequisites: None