Miljöetiken och den buddhistisk-kristna dialogen

Abstract

This article analyses how issues of environmental ethics are discussed by two Christian representatives, Michael S. Northcott and Rosemary Radford Ruether, and two Buddhist, Padmasiri de Silva and Chatsumam Kabilsingh. It concludes that the authors, despite different religious starting-points, come to similar conclusions regarding the moral status of natural entities. They all agree that all living beings, both animals and plants, are morally considerable. However, there are also some important differences. The Christians emphasize more the unique moral status of humans. They also present more explicit guidelines for how one should prioritize between different living beings. Finally, it is concluded that both Christians and Buddhists may profit from a dialogue within the area of environmental ethics. Buddhists may learn something from the Christian interest in social reform work, while Christians may be inspired by the Buddhist insight into the interconnectedness of all things.