Shona ecology: A viable alternative?

Abstract

Traditionally, at least in the West, ethics was exclusively concerned with human action in relation to other business beings and has generally considered non-human creatures to be mere means to human ends, not ends in themselves. This view was recently challenged and this formed the primary goal of environmental ethics. It seeks to rethink moral philosophy and reformulate ethical theory so that it may include direct moral consideration of non-human creatures. This article seeks to show that business is inextricably tied to environmental issues. It will critically analyse some moral dilemmas in environmental responsibility by
forwarding three distinct moral theories concerning the environment. A fourth “theory,” Shona ecology, shall be considered to see whether it can be a viable alternative.