Packaging the Earth: Perspective on Ethics in 21st Century - Research Paper Example

 Packaging the Earth: Perspective on Ethics in 21st Century 1.0 Introduction In the 20th century, some of the worst atrocities and inhumanities were committed, which portrayed the extent to which the world can act unethically. These include the first and second world wars, the Holocaust, the gulf wars, terrorism, development of bioengineering technologies and nuclear energy among others. These have adverse effects to humanity and require a rethink on the ethical impact they have. This has called for serious perspectives, where many players are looking towards the 21st century with an eaim of alleviating the damages of the 20th century; thus making humanity the center of all activities in war, development or economic activities. For example, the Times Magazine in December 1999 named Albert Einstein as the great man of the 20th century. This was because; Einstein was at the forefront of advocating for humanity in governance, and advocating democracy as compared to totalitarianism, where courageous individuals resisted authorities to secure human rights (Neuenschwander, 2004). Secondly, Einstein was at the forefront in discovery of scientific knowledge that resulted to numerous developments. Therefore, Einstein carefully combined a rare genius with deep moral senses, as well as being total indifference to convention (Times, 1999). The report presents Einstein as a man though filled with ingenious reasoning, was full of humanity values and portrayed these values in all his actions. It is out of these values that he was named the person of the Twentieth century. A glimpse into the 21st century indicates the need of people just like Einstein, who have both the sense of development and humanity integrated in their actions, to result to a more ethical universe where humanity comes first. 2.0 Ethical theories A report by UNESCO on the ethics for 21st century elaborates the problems facing the world in the 21st century to be complex, and multiple in nature. According to this report, the threat of resources depletion, the rapidly widening gap between the poor and the rich, and the scientific impact resulting into many social changes in the community, are some of the challenges outlined by the report. These are the challenges to be solved in the 21st century (UNESCO, 2001). As the process of globalization takes effect and incorporates the political, social, and cultural changes in the society, these problems tend to be global in character, and unified by globalization (UNESCO, 2001). The problems being faced by humanity are global in nature; they are in most cases not localized in particular regions as the world becomes a global village, meaning political boundaries are losing their relevancy towards a global united nation. The development of applied ethics has made it difficult for policy makers to talk of problems without relating these problems to real world decisions, relating to how people should live (Cafaro, 2011). The use of Kantianism makes us address our treatment of animals (Korsgaard, 2004), while eudemonism makes us apply the Aristotelian insights to develop ethics (Nassbaum, 2000). Through efforts that have been made in the above philosophies, it is possible to understand the purpose of ethical theories, and the natural limits; a situation that could not have been arrived at without understanding of these theories (Cafaro, 2011). It is through application of these ethical theories that scholars have been able to call for better and more ethical 21st century in all the above factors. 3.0 Environmental concerns Currently, environmental concerns are worthy of a discussion in their own rights. Many scholars are currently predicting a serious ecological catastrophe, if humanity continues on its current economic path of resource depletion, and other economic activities having serious adverse effects to the environment (Cafaro, 2011). Human beings are all that matters in making ethical decisions (Cafaro, 2011), and individuals have to be the sole focus in making decisions regarding values and concern. The theories regarding environmental ethics, or how decisions regarding environment can be made, have increased towards the 21st century. An example of this are the theories outlined in the book the president of good and Evil 2004, which relate to President Bush’s personal ethical values, and how they were incorporated in these administration policies (Cafaro, 2011). The ethical issues in environment particularly in the 21st century have to be led from both social and political levels, to salvage the rapidly dilapidating environment. 4.0 Economic globalization In the UNESCO conference of 2000, the issue of environment as linked to economic globalization emerged, where it was agreed there was a need for world leaders to have serious considerations on the importance of inherent or emerging values (UNESCO, 2001). The report indicates the 21st century and the entire globalization process, and particularly economic globalization requires ethics founded on higher levels for those thinking globally. Scientific and technological transformations were identified as having serious unethical limitations towards the environment; there were calls to the global leaders to have a clear look on how the economic globalization can be advanced ethically. This means global leaders have to ensure that resources are harnessed sustainably, the use of greener technologies in manufacturing and production , use of greener energy to protect the environment from the effects caused by fossil fuels, development of products that are environmentally friendly, among other economic decisions leading to a healthier 21st century. The global warming problem resulting from continued use of fossil fuels, and release of hydrocarbons are some of the ethical considerations addressed by the UNESCO report in advocating for more ethical economic globalization. 5.0 War and human rights On 3 April 2006, the British defense secretary, John Reid addressed a large military audience concerning the rules of the21st century warfare (Coker, 2008). In the address, Reid observed that for many years conflict and wars between tribes had been brutal and savage. This led to putting in place of the international humanitarian laws, and as war continues to evolve, Raid stresses the need to hold moral dimensions in handing such cases. According to Reid, there is a need to consider the values, legal instruments in the world of conflicts, and the nature of conflict to determine how such a conflict has to be handed ethically (Coker, 2008). These are the minimum requirements that armies owe to themselves, to the people, and the international order (Coker, 2008). According to Coker, these are the sentiments that have been shared by many people in advancing ethics in war, where the army has to uphold the dignity and humanity ethics, and respect people during such wars. As the world becomes a global nation, ethics in 21st century require global leaders to address conflicts not only localized in their regains, but in the global arena. Leaders will thus have no ethical background to watch as conflicts range on (Coker, 2008). The UN and other humanitarian bodies have a task to act ethically during such conflicts. 6.0 Democracy and human rights Globalization in 21st century reaches its peak with all nations being joined by the forces of globalization. Such unification calls for the universality of human rights, which incorporates both the social and political problems (UNESCO, 2001). Political globalization requires nations to increase the democratic space to their citizens, by leaders acting ethically and ensuring democratic space in their countries. As Einstein once explained, “I will only stay in a country where political liberty, toleration, and equality of all citizens before the law….” (Einstein, n.d) the UNESCO conference called upon all nations to ensure political globalization, and especially improving the democratic space in governance. Prof. Etzioni when addressing the conference argued that unlike new concepts in dealing with tension between nation- state, identity and the world community related to sovereignty, progress in dealing with the problems of human rights in the global world would not be possible. Democratic space in political globalization would ensure ethical and human values are adhered to, as we march ahead in the 21st century. 7.0 Food and health Food ethics is a goal that many are looking to attain in the 21st century. Many consumers especially in America have no idea how foods get to the food stores; they think of food as an agricultural product, but do not think of themselves as participants in agriculture. They are just consumers of food (McGee, 2008). There is a need to understand the impact of food in the ecosystem in modernity, with clean and healthy foods being advocated by many scholars. “Tomorrow’s shoppers will carry the technological advancement to another level. Food with no fat, no calories, just synthesized flavor is the main consumption” (Berry, 1991). However, there is a need to have food that does not isolate us from our beliefs and values in the world, by creating a more ethical humanity. There are continued efforts by people to go for natural foods, and be more actively involved in agriculture, for the consumers to be in biological reality (McGee, 2007). Alienation of human being from their labor, nature and the value of their actions is culture that has to be avoided, as people become conscious of the relations to nature and biological reality. There will be a need to consider effects of food taken to the eco system, where people are called to be more aware of their food process in agriculture, and be more involved in realizing the biological reality of their foods instead of taking flavored stuff with no health values. This calls for healthy living, and being in close contact and friendly to nature. 8.0 Conclusion & Recommendations In the 21st century there is a need to observe the essence of humanity in formulating policies, with the dignity of humanity as the central theme. This will ensure social, political, technological and industrial activities are all geared towards the benefit of humanity; more so in respecting life and nature. As the world rapidly enters the globalised lane in the 21st century, harmonizing these policies would ensure sustainable use of resources, improved democratic space, and observance of the dignity of humanity, all of which would lead to an ethical century. It is recommended that policy makers draw policies, which would seek to ensure the face of humanity and respect for nature in all sectors globally. These are the changes that were critically discussed in the UNESCO report at the onset of the 21st century. 9.0 References Berry, W., (1991) Know that what you eat you are. Harper’s, 283(1688), 36-40. Cafaro, P., (2011). Taming growth and articulating a sustainable future: the way forward for environmental ethics. IN: Indiana University Press Coker, C., (2008). Ethics and war in the 21st century. NY: Routledge Einstein, A., the world as I see it, CA: Citadel Press. Korsgaard, C., (2004).”Fellow creatures: Kantian ethics and our duties to animals.” Delivered as the Tanner Lecture Lecture on human values at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Feb 6, 2004. McGee, G., (2007). A clean well lighted place: in search of food ethics in the 21st century Grocery store. The American Journal of Bioethics, 7(10), 1-2 Neuenschwander, D.E., (2004).Taking Einstein’s ethics not the 21st century: “Remember your humanity” http://www.spsobserver.org/2006/observer_einstein.pdf Nussbaum, M., (1994). The therapy of desire: theory and practice in Hellenistic ethics. Princeton: Princeton University Press Times Magazine (1999, Dec. 31) Person of the 20th century: Albert Einstein, pg 40 UNESCO (2001). Ethics for the 21st century. UNESCO , Paris, September 21-22, 2001 Read More