Publication Date
1997
Description
Grasslands are basic elements in sustainable development, but few grassland workers are familiar with concepts of ethical decision making useful in integrating ecological, economic, and sociological components of sustainability. Most published procedures for ethical decision making are based on linear models for individualized social systems with modern technologies. In the context of sustainable agriculture, nonlinear community-based procedures may be more appropriate. In this paper, a nonlinear model from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Indians is compared to more conventional linear procedures. After identification of a problem, linear models often leave the solution of the ethical dilemma (ranking ethical goals when they conflict) to the individual. In the community-based model, responsibility to future generations is the goal of highest priority. This world view should appeal to all who seek a sustainable future, and grassland workers in community-based agricultural development may use the concept to bring their ecological knowledge to the human communities seeking that knowledge.
Citation
Fick, Gary W., "Linear and Community-Based Processes of Ethical Decision Making For Grassland Workers" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session27/3
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Linear and Community-Based Processes of Ethical Decision Making For Grassland Workers
Grasslands are basic elements in sustainable development, but few grassland workers are familiar with concepts of ethical decision making useful in integrating ecological, economic, and sociological components of sustainability. Most published procedures for ethical decision making are based on linear models for individualized social systems with modern technologies. In the context of sustainable agriculture, nonlinear community-based procedures may be more appropriate. In this paper, a nonlinear model from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Indians is compared to more conventional linear procedures. After identification of a problem, linear models often leave the solution of the ethical dilemma (ranking ethical goals when they conflict) to the individual. In the community-based model, responsibility to future generations is the goal of highest priority. This world view should appeal to all who seek a sustainable future, and grassland workers in community-based agricultural development may use the concept to bring their ecological knowledge to the human communities seeking that knowledge.
