Ethics and Social Construction

My site of Centennial Woods is a protected natural area, which is under the jurisdiction of the University of Vermont. Based on this, we can assume that the people that utilize this area follow the same ethical thinking of Gifford Pinchot. Pinchot thought that natural areas of the world should be protected by the creation of national parks regulated by the federal government. This model is the same as the one applied to Centennial Woods. It allows for people to still appreciate the area and keeps it protected. Conversely, if people followed the ethical thinking of Aldo Leopold, who thought that the best way to protect natural areas is by having no human interaction as possible, no one would be able to use the area for recreation. This would lower the potential for any habitat destruction in the area by humans, which would be beneficial for the animals of my site. The social construction of the university and its protection provided to the area makes people appreciate the area more. They view it as something worth protecting. That has helped the area stay beautiful and full of life in the past, and will hopefully have the same impact in the future.

Skip to toolbar