Environmental Ethics in Poland

Abstract

In the 1960s, western societies discovered that unlimited technological progress has a very high price that the environment pays. This was also the beginning of the discussions on the role of ethics in the protection of the environment and the moral aspects of nature exploitation. Even though the state of nature was not better in Poland, it took Polish philosophers a few decades to recognize the moral problem and to address it. The prevailing communistic propaganda of progress had blurred the perception of Polish people and they are unable to notice the environmental problem. Thus, only in the 1990s, after the fall of communism, Polish philosophers noticed that our approach to nature can have a moral aspect and we are exhausting the resources of the Earth. Since then, Environmental Ethics in Poland has been developed. Polish Environmental Ethics (PEE) is an interesting blend of inspiration from internationally recognized thinkers as well as original approaches to the ecological problem. The first wave of PEE addresses problems discussed abroad, namely the range of ethics (whom do we include into ethical consideration?) and the problem of values, analyzing them in the context of Polish culture and philosophical traditions. It also proposed original approaches developed by Henryk Skolimowski as well as approaches inspired by the problems considered from the perspective of Catholic theology. The article will give an insight into PEE and will present how these applied ethics have been received and cultivated in Poland in the so called first wave. It will also highlight the problems of the second wave of PEE.

Attitudes toward protecting endangered species: The impact of perceived physical attractiveness of animals and political ideology

“…This may be due to better economic conditions (i.e., improved economic security; Inglehart, 1971, 1977) after transitioning from communism. Additionally, there may be increased knowledge about animal welfare among Poles through communication programs that emphasize the protection of animals and the environment under the inspiration of Catholic theology and teaching in Poland that instructs individuals on the moral obligations of man toward nature (Dzwonkowska, 2017).…”

“…This may be due to increased knowledge about animal welfare issues obtained in part from effective information campaigns that use the Internet, schools, and governments to endorse animal welfare legislation (Pejman et al, 2019). Moreover, the protection of animals also may be related to human morality and religiosity, which instruct individuals on their moral obligations toward nature and animals (Dzwonkowska, 2017).…”

Speech-Language Pathology Incorporating Horses

“…In some case reports, communication goals were achieved much faster than off-the-horse speech therapy. 21 22 23 24 25…”

Promoting the Eco-Dialogue through Eco-Philosophy for Community

“…These approaches were continued by Skolimowski [29] with a comparative analysis of two other concepts that emerged in the late twentieth century, namely eco-philosophy and sociology, the latter being defined as the science of protecting the biosphere against the destructive effects of the anthroposphere [48], recommending that both concepts be introduced as disciplines in the contemporary education system. Skolimowski's research was continued by other Polish researchers [63] who proposed approaches inspired by issues considered from the perspective of Catholic theology, creating Polish Environmental Ethics (PEE).…”