Conflitos conceituais nos estudos sobre meio ambiente

Abstract

In this paper the interaction man/nature from the ecological and ethical points of view are discussed. Ethics is related to the human societies and is not concerned with nature. In this way the human compromises with environment protection is restricted to the welfare of future generations. No ethical principle can be invoked to justify the indiscriminated protection to every species and ecossystems. However, the utility of the ecossystems and species must be taken in its largest sense including those which are object of interest for the scientists as benefical factors potentially useful for mankind.