How should human beings interact with the natural world? Do we have moral obligations toward living parts of nature? Non-living parts? And what do we owe to other human beings, including future generations, with respect to the environment? In this course, we will tackle ethical questions that confront us in our dealings with the natural world, looking at subjects such as: climate change, conservation, environmental justice, economic approaches to the environment, access to and control over natural resources, pollution, technology, and environmental activism. We will frame our inquiry with leading ethical theories and divide our approach to these topics by ecosystem, dedicating time to each unique environment and its specific nuances: aquatic, land, and aerospace.
4-5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit · GER: WAY-ER
How should human beings interact with the natural world? Do we have moral obligations toward living parts of nature? Non-living parts? And what do we owe to other human beings, including future generations, with respect to the environment? In this course, we will tackle ethical questions that confront us in our dealings with the natural world, looking at subjects such as: climate change, conservation, environmental justice, economic approaches to the environment, access to and control over natural resources, pollution, technology, and environmental activism. We will frame our inquiry with leading ethical theories and divide our approach to these topics by ecosystem, dedicating time to each unique environment and its specific nuances: aquatic, land, and aerospace.
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.