RST 242 Discussion 6 I agree with the statement that at the core of the scientific arguments for land conservation, or in other words “Land Ethic” are views that centered on human values and attitudes, not on the intrinsic worth of nature and other species. Leopold states “when we attempt to say that an animal is ‘useful,’ ‘ugly,’ or ‘cruel’ we are failing to see it as part of the land” (Nash, 2014). This quote clearly shows how human values are the center of attention rather than looking at the important value of nature. It is emphasized many times that decisionsneed to be made based on the intrinsic value of nature, not the attitudes of humans towards nature. It is also important for humans to move away from the “conqueror” mindset they had when they were first settling into America. Instead, they should adopt an idea of protecting nature to the best of their ability while still being able to utilize the land. Leopold stated that “anecological conscience makes possible the extension of an ethical attitude toward nature” (Nash, 2014). This shows the importance of treating nature respectfully and not damaging nature when it is used. Humans do not generally think about how much they are truly damaging nature, and this is something that should come to mind at all times. There were many arguments between preservationists and conservationists regarding the importance of protecting nature, and these arguments should be in our minds in order to protect nature as best as humans possibly can. Reference:Nash, R. (2014). Wilderness and the American Mind (5th edition). New Haven, CT: Yale University
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