IB Environmental systems and societies Hl.c Environmental Ethics Key Definitions

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an ecosystem, encompassing different levels of biological organization.

Consequentialist ethics is a moral theory that judges the morality of an action based solely on its consequences.

Environmental ethics is a branch of ethical philosophy that deals with the moral relationship between humans and the environment.

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that examines moral principles and determines what behaviors are right or wrong.

Intrinsic value refers to the worth of something independent of its usefulness to humans.

Instrumental value refers to the usefulness of an entity for humans. This value is based on how nature benefits humans directly or indirectly.

Moral standing refers to the idea that an entity (whether living or non-living) has moral significance and should be considered when making decisions about how we interact with it.

Photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which can later be stored as biomass or used as fuel by autotrophs.

Rights-based ethics (also known as deontological ethics) evaluates morality based on whether an action respects the rights of individuals or entities, rather than its consequences.

Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the character and moral virtues of the individual making the decision, rather than focusing on the consequences of their actions or their adherence to specific rules.