The Loss and Damage of Environmental Ethics in the Threshold of African Culture

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 85-99

Author(s):

Essien D. Essien

Keyword(s):

Environmental Ethics ◽

Qualitative Methodology ◽

Future Generation ◽

Well Being ◽

Relational Theory ◽

Human Beings ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

African Culture ◽

Loss And Damage ◽

African Ethics

It has been argued that human actions through pollution and other activities have imperil survival, harm health and dislocate the well-being of man on earth. This argument's corollary is that, given the curious datum that human beings are implicated in loss and damage of the environment, actions performed by individuals have aggregate negative consequences on the environment. Yet, what African culture is and how it matters in environmental ethics is regrettably unexplored and disproportionately contested. This study examines the contributions of culture toward the preservation and protection of the environment for future generation. The study adopts qualitative methodology and content analysis, as well as “relational theory” to respond to the thesis that African culture has a moral responsibility and an in-built mechanism to protect human interactions with nature and environment. The findings show that culture has the capacity to avert loss and damage of the African environment through African ethics.

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tenet of ubuntu in South (African) ethics

STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal ◽

10.17570/stj.2021.v7n1.a14 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vhumani Magezi ◽

Clement Khlopa

Keyword(s):

Pastoral Care ◽

South African ◽

Moral Theory ◽

Well Being ◽

Christian Ethics ◽

African Philosophy ◽

Human Beings ◽

African Ethics ◽

Contemporary Christian ◽

African Worldview

The notion of ubuntu as a moral theory in the South African and African contexts presents attractive norms of an African worldview that can be articulated and applied to contemporary Christian ethics. The proponents of ubuntu perceive it as an African philosophy based on the maxim, “a person is a person through other persons”, whereby the community prevails over individual considerations. It is not merely an empirical claim that our survival or well-being is causally dependent on others but is in essence capturing a normative account of what we ought to be as human beings. However, ubuntu has shortcomings that make it an impractical notion. Despite its shortcomings, ubuntu has natural ethic potential that enforces and engenders hospitality, neighbourliness, and care for all humanity. This article contributes to further conceptualisation and understanding of the notion of ubuntu and its relationship with hospitality in order to retrieve some principles that can be applied to effective and meaningful pastoral care. The principles drawn from ubuntu are juxtaposed with Christian principles and pastoral care to encourage embodiment of God by pastoral caregivers.

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Under Darwin’s Cosh? Neo-Aristotelian Thinking in Environmental Ethics

Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplement ◽

10.1017/s1358246105056122 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 56 ◽

pp. 22-23

Author(s):

Michael Wheeler

Keyword(s):

Environmental Ethics ◽

Natural Environment ◽

Moral Status ◽

General Position ◽

Well Being ◽

The Other ◽

Human Beings ◽

The One ◽

The Right ◽

Individual Human

As a first shot, one might say that environmental ethics is concerned distinctively with the moral relations that exist between, on the one hand, human beings and, on the other, the non-human natural environment. But this really is only a first shot. For example, one might be inclined to think that at least some components of the non-human natural environment (non-human animals, plants, species, forests, rivers, ecosystems, or whatever) have independent moral status, that is, are morally considerable in their own right, rather than being of moral interest only to the extent that they contribute to human well-being. If so, then one might be moved to claim that ethical matters involving the environment are best cashed out in terms of the dutes and responsibilities that human beings have to such components. If, however, one is inclined to deny independent moral status to the non-human natural environment or to any of its components, then one might be moved to claim that the ethical matters in question are exhaustively delineated by those moral relations existing between individual human beings, or between groups of human beings, in which the non-human natural environment figures. One key task for the environmental ethicist is to sort out which, if either, of these perspectives is the right one to adopt—as a general position or within particular contexts. I guess I don’t need to tell you that things get pretty complicated pretty quickly.

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tenet of ubuntu in South (African) ethics

STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal ◽

10.17570/stj.2021.v7n2.a1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Vhumani Magezi ◽

Clement Khlopa

Keyword(s):

Pastoral Care ◽

South African ◽

Moral Theory ◽

Well Being ◽

Christian Ethics ◽

African Philosophy ◽

Human Beings ◽

African Ethics ◽

Contemporary Christian ◽

African Worldview

The notion of ubuntu as a moral theory in the South African and African contexts presents attractive norms of an African worldview that can be articulated and applied to contemporary Christian ethics. The proponents of ubuntu perceive it as an African philosophy based on the maxim, “a person is a person through other persons”, whereby the community prevails over individual considerations. It is not merely an empirical claim that our survival or well-being is causally dependent on others but is in essence capturing a normative account of what we ought to be as human beings. However, ubuntu has shortcomings that make it an impractical notion. Despite its shortcomings, ubuntu has natural ethic potential that enforces and engenders hospitality, neighbourliness, and care for all humanity. This article contributes to further conceptualisation and understanding of the notion of ubuntu and its relationship with hospitality in order to retrieve some principles that can be applied to effective and meaningful pastoral care. The principles drawn from ubuntu are juxtaposed with Christian principles and pastoral care to encourage embodiment of God by pastoral caregivers.

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Under Darwin's Cosh? Neo-Aristotelian Thinking in Environmental Ethics

Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplement ◽

10.1017/s1358246100008870 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 56 ◽

pp. 259-289

Author(s):

Michael Wheeler

Keyword(s):

Environmental Ethics ◽

Natural Environment ◽

Moral Status ◽

General Position ◽

Well Being ◽

The Other ◽

Human Beings ◽

The One ◽

The Right ◽

Individual Human

As a first shot, one might say that environmental ethics is concerned distinctively with the moral relations that exist between, on the one hand, human beings and, on the other, the non-human natural environment. But this really is only a first shot. For example, one might be inclined to think that at least some components of the non-human natural environment (non-human animals, plants, species, forests, rivers, ecosystems, or whatever) have independent moral status, that is, are morally considerable in their own right, rather than being of moral interest only to the extent that they contribute to human well-being. If so, then one might be moved to claim that ethical matters involving the environment are best cashed out in terms of the dutes and responsibilities that human beings have to such components. If, however, one is inclined to deny independent moral status to the non-human natural environment or to any of its components, then one might be moved to claim that the ethical matters in question are exhaustively delineated by those moral relations existing between individual human beings, or between groups of human beings, in which the non-human natural environment figures. One key task for the environmental ethicist is to sort out which, if either, of these perspectives is the right one to adopt—as a general position or within particular contexts. I guess I don't need to tell you that things get pretty complicated pretty quickly.

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PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF STREET HAWKING ON THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN ANYIGBA, DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Pakistan Journal of Public Health ◽

10.32413/pjph.v8i1.138 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 01-07

Author(s):

Alfred Eboh

Keyword(s):

Local Government ◽

Survey Design ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Well Being ◽

Local Government Area ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Effects ◽

The Government

Background: The hawking of wares by children has been a serious issue confronting the Nigerian society. Children hawk in some of the most horrible conditions conceivable, where they face a serious risk of injury, chronic illness, kidnapping, rape or death. Objective: The focus of this study was to assess the perceived effects of street hawking on the well-being of children in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Methods: The population of this study consists of parents of the street hawkers in Anyigba while cross-sectional survey design was used through the purposive sampling technique to choose the sample size of one hundred and sixty-two (162) respondents. The validated structured questionnaire and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) served as the instruments for the data collection respectively. The hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square at a predetermined 0.05 level of significance. The quantitative data were analysed with the aid of the SPSS (version 20). Results: The results indicated among others that street hawking had significant social implications and physical consequences on children's moral behaviour as well as health status in the study area. Conclusion: The study, therefore, concluded that the government of Kogi State should carry out an enlightenment campaign through the media and religious institutions on the negative consequences of street hawking are recommended as panacea. Also, the child right act instrument and its implementation should be strengthened in order to curb street hawking in the study area.

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Persons Together

10.23943/princeton/9780691176277.003.0005 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Alan L. Mittleman

Keyword(s):

Human Nature ◽

Well Being ◽

Image Of God ◽

Jewish Tradition ◽

The Political ◽

Human Beings ◽

Human Flourishing ◽

Political Dimensions ◽

Market Relations ◽

The Image Of God

This chapter moves into the political and economic aspects of human nature. Given scarcity and interdependence, what sense has Judaism made of the material well-being necessary for human flourishing? What are Jewish attitudes toward prosperity, market relations, labor, and leisure? What has Judaism had to say about the political dimensions of human nature? If all humans are made in the image of God, what does that original equality imply for political order, authority, and justice? In what kinds of systems can human beings best flourish? It argues that Jewish tradition shows that we act in conformity with our nature when we elevate, improve, and sanctify it. As co-creators of the world with God, we are not just the sport of our biochemistry. We are persons who can select and choose among the traits that comprise our very own natures, cultivating some and weeding out others.

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National Identification, A Social Cure for COVID-19? Evidence From 67 Countries

10.31234/osf.io/294r5 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Eric Bonetto ◽

Sylvain Delouvée ◽

Yara Mahfud ◽

Jais Adam-Troian

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Well Being ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

National Identification ◽

The Social ◽

Mental Health Benefits

Social distancing and mass quarantines were implemented worldwide in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research on the effects of social isolation has shown that such measures bear negative consequences for population health and well-being. Conversely, a growing body of evidence suggests that feeling positively identified with a group is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits. This effect is referred to as the social cure and generalizes to various identities. In line with these findings, this study tested whether national identification could promote wellbeing and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we used survey data conducted among 67 countries (N = 46,450) which included measures of wellbeing, national identification, and subjective physical health. Mixed-model analyses revealed that national identity was indeed associated with wellbeing - despite adjustment on social belonging, COVID-19 perceived risk, exposure, and ideology. This effect did not extend to subjective health. These results suggest that the mere feeling of belonging to a national group may have mental health benefits and could be leveraged by governments. We discuss the implications of our findings within the social cure framework and their relevance for population mental health under COVID-19.

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Impact of Job Stress and Social Support on Job Satisfaction among Academic Staff

OPUS HR Journal ◽

10.21863/opus/2016.7.1.016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kumari Kumkum ◽

R. N. Singh ◽

Yogershi Rajpoot

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Job Satisfaction ◽

Job Stress ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Academic Staff ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

The Other ◽

Human Beings ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Four Dimensions

There may be so many negative consequences of stress for human beings and dissatisfaction among employees happens to be one of the major problems. It indicates negative feelings that individuals have regarding their jobs or its facets. On the other hand, social support is assumed to be mitigating the relationship between negative aspects of the work environment and job satisfaction. Job stress is said to be associated with job dissatisfaction as well as experience of strain. In view of the above, this study examined the role of job stress and social support in job satisfaction. The sample consisted of 30 school teachers from different school of Varanasi (U.P.). The job stress, job satisfaction and social support scales were administered on the participants. The responses of the participants were converted into scores for statistical analyses. The scores of participants on the scales were correlated. The findings revealed that job stress led to increased job satisfaction. It is against the proposed hypothesis and it appears as if the social support received by the participants is a factor behind it. Two of the four dimensions of social support were found to exert positive impact on job satisfaction but the other two dimensions were not found to be correlated with it. The findings are thoroughly discussed and interpreted.

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People and Climate Change

10.1093/oso/9780190886455.001.0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Social Institutions ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Social Dimensions ◽

Community Inclusion ◽

Global Issue ◽

Political Challenge

Climate change is a profoundly social and political challenge with many social justice concerns around every corner. A global issue, climate change threatens the well-being, livelihood, and survival of people in communities worldwide. Often, those who have contributed least to climate change are the most likely to suffer from its negative consequences and are often excluded from the policy discussions and decisions that affect their lives. This book pays particular attention to the social dimensions of climate change. It examines closely people’s lived experience, climate-related injustice and inequity, why some groups are more vulnerable than others, and what can be done about it—especially through greater community inclusion in policy change. A highlight of the book is its diversity of rich, community-based examples from throughout the Global South and North. Sacrificial flood zones in urban Argentina, forced relocation of United Houma tribal members in the United States, and gendered water insecurities in Bangladesh and Australia are just some of the in-depth cases included in the book. Throughout, the book asks social and political questions about climate change. Of key importance, it asks what can be done about the unequal consequences of climate change by questioning and transforming social institutions and arrangements—guided by values that prioritize the experience of affected groups and the inclusion of diverse voices and communities in the policy process.

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