William Baxter’s Anthropocentric Justification Regarding...

XXXXX XXXXXXXX Alex Hallam Philosophy 252: Contemporary Moral Problems 3 December 2012 William Baxter’s Anthropocentric Justification Regarding Regulation of Pollution Introduction: William Baxter addresses the issue of pollution, using a human-oriented method by which all value assigned to flora and fauna is dependent on each entity’s benefits to humans. In this essay I will briefly explain Baxter’s anthropocentric approach, attempt to show the flaws in Baxter’s arguments, examine his possible recourse after revisiting these points, and then conclude by restating my stance regarding the importance of flora and fauna and the immorality of environmental pollution. Pollution is immoral not only because we have a duty to preserve the†¦show more content†¦The idea that an animal or plant which has little or no value has fulfilled its purpose, or rather failed in its purpose for humans, should become extinct is appalling. It is unjustified for the simple fact that the future ramifications for upsetting that necessary balance are unpredictable in our continual evolutionary adaptation. We do not as evolved beings yet have the ability to see into the future, nor to anticipate ramifications that come with the extinction of any one species. Therefore even if fauna and flora exist only for the benefit of humans, an unknown benefit should be reason enough to preserve a particular habitat. If waste is bad and the purpose of an animal or plant is yet to be discovered, how can anyone assign its value or lack-there-of? The rare botanical that may just be the cure to cancer may have perished in the forest felled for that new parking lot in some new district just outside of town. In eliminating the value of a plant or animal and perhaps failing to preserve its existence, we may unintentionally forsake human existence. Baxter seems to put a lot of faith in the intelligence and intentions of men in regard to the variable nature of one man’s preferences over another. Baxter admits that humans are selfish and egotistical by nature. If man’s desire in magnitude is by nature so