Ecology

A good ecologist carefully respects animals and plants. However, this attitude requires clarification, since the same ecologist feeds on animals and plants. Some doubts arise: does one respect what one kills to eat? How to explain this behavior, sometimes careful and sometimes not?

Man, through his intelligence, dominates creation and uses animals and plants as he sees fit, but does not abuse them since he wants them to be of service later. However, this idea still lacks solidity, since he could use and abuse at will. To prevent this, there are several solutions:

enacts laws that regulate this matter and punish infractions. This resolves many problems and is an important step that must be taken. But the problem remains, since one might conclude that what matters is not getting caught — that is, man uses and abuses as long as the police or wardens do not catch him.

To prevent this, the next thing attempted — also correct — is educating the public through ecological propaganda. But the best remedy is not reached this way, since one would say that man uses and abuses to the extent that he pays more or less attention to the propaganda.

Seeking more serious approaches, one can say the following: Each person has a single heart with which they love themselves, God, others, animals and plants. The person of noble heart desires the good for everything around them, and therefore respects created beings even when no one is watching. This idea resolves part of the problem but:

• Feelings are variable and not always reasonable. For example, based on this, one would take great care of cute Angora kittens while possibly mistreating hyenas, jackals, vultures and wolves.
• It remains unresolved why it is correct to kill some and not others. At this point it is usually said that it is necessary to avoid the disappearance of a species. This is a good argument for a sensitive heart, but one can reply that animals themselves kill each other without taking extinctions into account, and many species have disappeared without human intervention, so the extinction of species is natural. However, we do not desire it, and it is worth finding better reasons for their protection.

Animals and plants should be cared for not for their own sake but for the good of man. Specifically, so that future human beings find a better world. This way there is coherence in combining the care and exploitation of nature. And one understands the validity of killing some animals while protecting others that man has an interest in preserving for some reason.

Therefore, it is not a matter of loving ecology above all things, but for the good of man; animals and plants are not protected above all else, but for the good of man. For example, sometimes the good of some peoples may advise accepting some ecological deterioration, while at other times greater ecological care is appropriate, also seeking the good of those peoples.

Selfishness is not compatible with coherent ecology. The selfish person cares little about how they leave the world for others.

Man has received from God the task of using and caring for creation. Therefore, creation is not man's property, but is held on lease. Man is responsible before God for the care of creation: he can and must use it, but reasonably, without departing from the plans foreseen by the Creator who always seeks the good of men.

10. Then, what is the firm foundation of ecology? Coherent ecology rests on the duty to seek the good of men by leaving them a better world. And this duty to seek human good rests on God's love for men. In other words, love of God and neighbor demands and validates ecological care.

This argument is fairly valid, but can lead to incoherences and exaggerations. For example, if nature itself erodes landscapes and eliminates species, it is incoherent for man to have to protect them because nature demands it; it must be for another reason. Another example: if nature can of itself demand respect from men, the coherent thing would be to respect it always, but this is exaggerated since it would lead to prohibiting fishing, hunting, agriculture and farms.

The Creator of nature is who demands that it be respected for the good of men. In reality, so-called nature is only a collection of animals, plants and material elements that cannot of themselves demand things from man. On the other hand, the Creator of nature and of man can demand that man care for nature, without exaggerations.

More spiritual people will appreciate this idea: whoever cares for the environment collaborates with God in the improvement and preservation of the world. And collaborating with God is something of great dignity and grandeur.

This is the typical ecological attitude and no further comment is needed.

It would be incoherent to treat animals and plants well and forget about human beings. Precisely ecology respects animals and plants for the sake of human good. This respect for human beings leads to several practical consequences:

• The good ecologist is in favor of life. Never terrorism, nor abortion. He respects the life of plant and human seeds (embryo).
• A good ecologist will respect his parents and authorities; etc.
• A good ecologist will dress properly (fashion) and will not adopt provocative gestures, out of respect for others' privacy (and his own). For that same respect he will strive to master his sexual instincts.
• A good ecologist will not be violent, but kind to others. He will not gossip.

Respect for animals and plants is logically linked to treating oneself in the same way. For example, a good ecologist will be sober in drink and will not take drugs.

This point is more important than it seems, since if one does not love God above all things, there is a risk of loving ecology above all things, with extravagant and irrational attitudes. On the other hand, if love of animals and plants is not based on respect and obedience to God but on personal preferences, one would end up selfishly loving the animals and plants that for some reason one happens to like (love).

The good ecologist does not remain indifferent to the possible disappearance of a species, but actively seeks its improvement and development. Coherent ecology applies this same attitude to human beings: it is not enough to respect them, but it is necessary to actively take an interest in others. Selfishness and comfort are not proper to the good ecologist, who will always be helpful and habitually seek the good of others, even the good of their souls.