생태중심윤리와 인구문제

Abstract

Population problem is a fundamental and priority issue to resolve the environ-mental problems. In particular, overpopulation is the problem to be dealt with in a holistic, ecocentric ethics in which a unique value to humans is not, in principle, given. Lifeboat ethics proposes the population control policy by halting the food aid to poor nations and the abolition of immigration policies. This policy has effects in a short period, but it is the compulsory policy of the developed countries reganding the developing countries, and is the policy requiring sacrifices of the poor. On the other hand, spaceship ethics proposes the policy naturally reducing population growth rate of the developing countries through improving economic and social conditions by active aid to them and by education. It takes a lot of time and effort, but it is based on the change of thoughts and voluntary choice. It does not require one-sided and forced sacrifices. Therefore, it is required to take the voluntary change of our thoughts that the Earth is a spaceship. Developed countries have to support the developing countries to voluntarily curb their population. The active aid of developed countries to the developing countries stabilizes economic situation and social conditions of developing countries. The developed countries don’t have a right to demand for poor countries to undertake forced sacrifices but have a duty to help them. And it is required to do some supervision and monitoring on the aid and support properly to be used.