Paper
Human ecological ethic?
Published Dec 1, 1974 · H. Mislin
Experientia
2
Citations
0
Influential Citations
Abstract
For such an integrating form of ethic 1, there are certain encouraging signs and processes in which the strictly egoistical striving for advantage has given place to a more humanistic ethic: as, for instance, in the freeing of the slaves, the establishing of a world postal service for the general good, the declaration of human rights on the high seas, the international banking system, the world-wide publication of scientific advances, the international co-operation in the prevention of crime. There has even been some voluntary limitation of war-fare through the international Red Cross, the Geneva and Hague conventions. There are now also several European and world organizations in recognition of the need for co-existence, and numerous international and national ecological congresses to initiate a wider co-operation often enough without much concrete result 2. On the other side, there are the continuing international and national civil wars of the opposing political systems. And finally the ever-increasing, ruthless exploitation of nature, and the irresponsible manipulation of life which is destroying the natural control of the processes of evolution and selection. The artificial evolution caused by technical progress and the no less artificial selection through economic competition have become the most fatal threat to human existence. All this is emphasized and discussed in detail in the descriptions of the human ecological crisis in which we live 3. I t is gradually becoming realized that this human ecological crisis has grown into a nihilistic crisis with a relativistic, pluralistic, sceptical and ideological abdication of all human values and cultural ideals. A new age must be born: something of the order of a 'cybernetic age' is envisaged, with a new dimension of thought 4. But from a mere material and intellectual process alone, no humanly satisfying future in a new age can be imagined; there must be a vehement general offensive of the combined forces of the widest concepts and efforts. At first we are gathering the fruits of a particularized and political ethic. For the integral ethic which is forced upon us, we need all public bodies to arouse as much moral initiative as possible in individuals, and to collect and realise such initiatives. But these must, from the start, be ordered for all mankind, without ethical soverenity for certain communities or groupings. Such a human ecological ethic calls for individual inspiration, collective execption and universal acceptance. What is needed is the concrete achievement of the complex requirements of a true human ecology, whereby a sincere individual and collective ethic is essential. Such an integrating ethic must bind the universal orders to concrete codes of behaviour and achievement, and to the individual will to honesty, decency and justice. With other words: What is needed is the exertion of a higher dimension of man which will not simply ignore discords but will tackle every discord. So an ethical integration could be made, and a forum for the productive OECOLOGICA HUMANA
A human ecological ethic, integrating individual and collective ethics, is essential for addressing the human ecological crisis and promoting co-existence and ethical integration.
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