The Holistic Ethics of Sustainability

Abstract

The article raises the question for an ethical model for the continuous mixed forestry. Among the plethora of approaches reaching from individualistic to holistic ones especially, the question of the dignity or integrity of plants is discussed. This important approach has been regulated since many years in the constitution of Switzerland. The problem is still that the term “dignity” contains too many uncertainties to be exactly described. Another approach to forest ethics is the one of social or Christian ethics. This approach emphasizes the position of the human being as the guard of the creation, and his task is to take care of animals and plants for the common sake. The holistic model finally stresses the interconnectedness of all living beings and their social obligation toward the others. An approximation to it can be found even in some statutory provisions, for example, in § 1 of the German Federal Nature Conservation Act. There, goals of nature conservation and landscape management are that nature and landscape have to be protected because of their own value and as a basis for life and health of people in responsibility for future generations. The holistic model fulfills all expectations and demands for a sustainable world. It also contains the more individualistic aspects of plant dignity or integrity as well as social or Christian ethics and is the optimal approach for the realization of the “continuous mixed forestry” model with all its requirements of an ethically responsible, sustainable forest management.