Is it Moral to Poach Elephants for Ivory? Context: This activity will give you t
ID: 3489153 • Letter: I
Question
Is it Moral to Poach Elephants for Ivory?
Context: This activity will give you the opportunity to apply normative ethical theories to a contemporary moral problem and assess the merits of these theories. You will make a judgment about the morality of poaching elephants for ivory in Africa.
Here are the facts. The Great Elephant Consensus estimates that between 410,000 – 650,000 elephants remain in the wild in Africa (“Resources,” n.d.). But experts believe the number is likely closer to the 410,000 mark. A recent study found that elephants are being poached at a rate of 33,630 elephants per year, based on a three year population decline of 100,000 between 2010 and 2012 (Scriber, 2014). That means, on average, one elephant is being killed every fifteen minutes. If the current rates of poaching continue, elephants will likely be extinct in the African wild within the next ten to fifteen years.
While there are several reasons for the decline, the primary driver is poaching, which escalated after CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) opened a loophole in the law that allowed illegal ivory to flood the global market. This was coupled with a growing middle class in China, which has a legal ivory carving trade. China is the largest consumer of ivory in the world, and the United States is the second largest retail market for ivory. (Several states have passed, or are in the process of banning ivory and rhino horn sales to help curb this demand). This increase in demand drives up the street value of ivory, now valued at about $1,500 per pound, which incentivizes poaching (The Week Staff, 2014).
Poaching causes environmental damage. Elephants are a keystone species, which means their activities play a significant role in maintaining the health of their ecosystems. Their activities enable both flora and fauna to flourish. Poaching also causes economic damage. If elephants become extinct, then Africa will lose a significant source of income from tourism. Last, illegal poaching funds international crime and terrorism and destabilizes local governments (Bergenas & Medina, 2014).
Is it moral to poach elephants for ivory?
Description: Craft a forum post (300-500 words) in which you do the following. First, answer the question (Is it moral to poach elephants for ivory?) from two of the three normative theories. Be sure to make the moral logic explicit. Second, assess the strengths and weaknesses of each position. Third, discuss your own viewpoint on the issue.
Explanation / Answer
Answer:
Three normative theories are:
According to utilitarianism: any action is right if it brings happiness to greatest number of people.
Hence,poaching of elephants for ivory is not only unethical and immoral also very harmful to the environment.
Elephants are keystone species in the forest ecosystem. Poaching creates great disturbance in the ecosystem and forest food chain. It affect both flora and fauna of the forest because they are interconnected to each other.
It is not only affecting environment but also tourism industry.
According to utilitaristic approach: ivory is not important as compare to the life of elephant (keystone species).
Hence, poaching is unethical.
2.
According to deontology: life of the any living species is more important than of its by product.
It is not moral to take precious life of elephants just for ivory.
Hence,poaching is cruel and immoral activity and it must be stop.
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