Ethics

eth·ics   

  1. a guiding philosophy
  2. moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity.

The permaculture ethics form the foundation for permaculture design and are also found in most traditional societies. Ethics are culturally evolved mechanisms that regulate self-interest in relation to others. The permaculture ethics define how one should behave toward the earth, all of its beings, and each other.

Care for the Earth – rebuild and regenerate ecosystem health

Care for People – look after self, kin and community; and treat all beings with respect.

Fair Share – share the abundance of the earth with all living beings

Limits Aware – set limits to consumption and reproduction on this finite planet

Assignment

1. Imagine two different societies, each based on a different set of ethics.

  • For one society, use the permaculture ethics of EarthCare, PeopleCare, FairShare and LimitsAware.
  • For the other society, use any set of ethics you would like (write 3-5 ethics statements)
  1. Society one: a society that focuses on renewable energy sources, obtaining a yield of resources from rotation of crops, allowing nature to regenerate before taking from it again, natural resources.
  2. Society two: Uses energy thinking there is no consequences, using unnatural resources, overfishing populations, not doing proper crop yielding, monoculturing.

2. Using diagrams or drawings, illustrate differences in behavior between the two different societies.  Give at least 3 different examples that contrast behavior of individuals or groups in given situations, using one or the other set of ethics as guiding principles.

  1. Electricity vs solar panels
  2. Overfishing vs. using resources -> over fished fishies are sad, single fish is happy
  3. Monoculturing vs. rotation of crops

3. Take a photo of your images and insert it below.

  • attached below

4. Answer the question: What are your personal set of ethics? Give an example of a decision you made that was based on what you believe is right and wrong.

  • Personal set of ethics: Treat the earth as if the resources are limited. I don’t willy nilly use resources without attempting to over use. Recycling is big. Understanding the consequences of not living sustainably. Promoting a system of rules that promotes replenishing and limiting depletion and pollution. Preservations of wilderness is incredibly important, no human interferences

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