Biocentrism

Deriving from famous precursors such as Aristotle and his work, Virtue Ethics, which stresses the importance of character traits and the inherent value of all life, biocentrism is a whole of life—a centered, environmental ethic that positions the environment and all living things as equal to human beings.

The interconnectedness of humans to nature is emphasized, as is the idea that all living things have an equal right to life, and are each unique in their own right. As a concept, it is best understood in relation to its opposite, anthropocentrism, which positions humanity at the center of the world, uniquely different from and superior to all other life forms.

The notion of “biotic justice” underpins biocentrism, which posits that moral values should not only be attributed to humans but a whole range of other entities. P.W. Taylor argues that a biocentric perspective morally obliges humans to consider the impacts of their actions, insofar as they might negatively impact on or harm nature. Taylor further argues that we are obliged to other living things in their own right, a principle based on the notion of “inherent worth,” which is a concept he identifies as species impartiality. This intrinsic well-being, or good of each species, is identified as a “teleologicalcenter-of-life.”

In application to decision-making processes, proponents of the “biocentrist” theory argue that there are limits to what humans can do with the environment; and they emphasize the need for the development of systems and processes that promote stability, conservation and the interdependency and connectedness of all life systems.

Allocation of resources within a biocentric paradigm would be on the basis of a decision-making system that ascribes all organisms—humans included—equal values and rights. As such, biocentrism advocates an approach to environmental decisionmaking based on the precautionary principle, and the recognition that environmental systems need to be protected in the short and long term.