Expanding Morality: Reflections on the Moral Consideration of Nature

Abstract

This paper analyzes the problems derived from a narrow conception of morality which claims that in regards to non-human nature, we only have indirect duties and weak moral obligations. By appealing to three positions--the anthropocentric, the biocentric, and the aesthetic--this paper aims to outline the need to relate deontological and teleological issues in such a way that from a practical, responsible and reflexive anthropocentrism the challenge of a moral consideration of nature could be positively faced.