An Analysis of Aldo Leopold’s “The Land Ethic”

Question

Read the article and write essay 1. Instructions are in the file.

Answer

An Analysis of Aldo Leopold’s “The Land Ethic”

            Aldo Leopold’s “The Land Ethic” is a critical analysis and a conversation-starter on land use, conservation and the efforts man has taken to preserve the environment in which he lives in (Callicott 14). Leopold notes that the disposal of property in the ties of the Greek god Odysseus was viewed merely as a matter of expediency and no ethical structures of right and wrong were attached to it. He goes on to add that these ethical structures developed and evolved with time leading to the definition of ethics ecologically as a limitation to a freedom and philosophically as a contrast between social acceptable and anti-social behavior (Leopold 1). Leopold mentions that two kinds of ethics have already been defined, relations between individuals and relations between individuals and the society. However, no ethic exists in regard to man and his relation to the environment.

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The author introduces the concept of community where ethic is seen as a means of cooperation and peaceful coexistence. Land ethics in this sense would consider land as a member of that community and hence the need for peaceful coexistence would arise. Leopold also argues on the basis of ecological conscience where he defines conservation as harmony between man and the land (Leopold 5). He notes that the current brand of conservation being practiced does not define right and wrong but focuses on self-interest and economic viability of land. Consequently, this overlooks the arguably non-economically viable flora and fauna. Leopold observes that the current order as at 1929 tasks the government of the day with all matters conservation while private landowners only carry out the same after receipt of some sort of ‘compensation’. Cumulatively, the author argues that land conservation can only exist if love, respect, high regard and admiration for the same also exist.

Since the publication of Leopold’s article in 1929, progression and regression towards development of a land ethic has been made in almost equal measure. In terms of progress, quite a number of governmental, non-governmental and international agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), have been formed to tackle matters of land use, preservation and conservation and legislation of laws and guidelines towards the same. Game reserves, protected sites, animal parks and conservation sites have also been set up to preserve the habitat of endangered and non-endangered species of plant and animal life. Private land owners have also stepped up and are now carrying out conservation practices without compulsion with others even donating parcels of their land to research and conservation. Environmental law, as an entire branch of the legal practice has also stemmed up to deal with rules, sanctions, penalties and regulations on land use, ethics and conservation. Regrettably, land is still widely considered as an economic tool and its viability is measured on the amount of returns it can generate. This is no different from the 1929 Leopoldo society.

I concur with Leopold’s maxim that “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” (Leopold 12). The correctness of an action or event can only be judged by the effects it has on its surrounding s and on the people whom it was meant for or targeted towards. Certain policies toward the land would greatly violate this principle such as clearing of forest land to facilitate human settlement, practicing poor agricultural methods that lead to soil exhaustion as well as illegal hunting and poaching of wild animals.

Works Cited

Callicott, J. Baird. Companion to a Sand County Almanac: Interpretive and critical essays. University of Wisconsin Press, 1987. Print.

Leopold, Aldo. A sand county almanacand sketches here and there. New York: Oxford University Press, 1949. Print.