ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the questions for discussion and revision for understanding Environmental Philosophy. Anthropocentrism claims that human beings are much more intrinsically valuable than animals and non-humans in general. Reflect on why there is much more controversy about the mercy killing of human beings. Sometimes the most practical way to deal with pest invasions involves causing painful death to animals. John Passmore once remarked that wilderness would be far better if there were no flies. Edward Abbey in Desert Solitaire described how, while working as a park ranger, he took great care to avoid killing snakes and other poisonous creatures that he found around his caravan. Rolston claims that the phenomenon of life evokes a religious response. Nietzsche compared living as a human being to creating a work of art.
