Environmental behavior and mindset: Utilitarianism vs. duty ethics

Ufa University of Science and Technology, 32, Zaki Validi Street, 450076, Ufa, Russia

^* Corresponding author: bicprof@mail.ru

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to develop philosophical and ethical foundations of ecological behavior, as well as thinking that generates creative consciousness, dialog communication, directed against the utilitarian approach to reality. The novelty consists, firstly, in substantiating the idea of developing the essential forces of man, which are not opposed to the everyday world, but harmonize it with spiritual satisfaction. Ecological thinking and behavior do not arise randomly and automatically, but require moral effort. Normative action is connected with human efforts to join the world of humanism and love as an invariant that remains unchanged in various cultural and historical forms. Secondly, the modern understanding of the ethics of human duty involves requirements for human action to be neither destructive of future existence nor threatening to the preservation of life. The conclusions are based on the deontological understanding of ethics of duty. The applied dialectical method, which is based on the principle of activity of self-consciousness, is associated with the rise above utilitarianism, overcoming the consumerist, technocratic attitude to the surrounding world, operating with quantitative indicators of intellectual progress. The research is based on the principle of additionality of sensuality and reason, pleasure and duty. The authors substantiate the transcendental way of cognizing the ecology of man and society. Human needs and interests lie at the foundation of understanding the social and spiritual consequences of a committed action. Harmony of the principles of duty and love is promoted by creative overcoming of utilitarianism and recognition of the limits of possibilities of impact on the natural environment. Environmental behavior must be viewed in the context of the rich world of human individuality, which contributes to the harmonization of ethical duty and pleasure.