Abstract

To appreciate what an African perspective can contribute to environmental ethics, we should be careful, all things considered, not to get entangled in the dualisms that have characterized the central debates in Western environmental ethics. Dualisms such as anthropocentrism versus non anthropocentrism; or individualism versus holism may have been useful in informing particular positions on certain issues, however, they have often led to seemingly irreconcilable differences. Moreover, the positions taken by choosing either side of the dualisms are individually inadequate to capture what goes on in real life given the multifaceted human interactions with the natural world. Understanding justice within the framework of the African emphasis on harmonious relationships has a lot to contribute to an African conception of environmental ethics. Furthermore, some of the fundamental concerns about justice have the potential to stand up to the tide of Western influences which may not be the case with mere nostalgic references to African beliefs and attitudes toward the natural environment.