Forest Research, Under The Perspective Of Environmental Ethics

The issue of forest is an aspect of environmental problem, which exists in the long history of human beings. The nature of the issue is the relation between forest and people, not merely the problem of resources. Environmental ethics is to study the relation between human and nature, which extends the scope of the moral objects of human beings from the area of human society to natural beings and nature. Such a distinct characteristic of environmental ethics makes it evident that it is necessary and feasible to guide the solution of the issue of forest by environmental ethics. The setting-up of forestry ethics is a part of perfection of environmental ethics. The ancient Chinese thoughts "integration of human and nature"produces rich wisdom of forest ethics. Modern western environmental ethics representing by ethics of land, deep ecology and intrinsic natural value theory provides a tough theoretical foundation for the research of the issue of forest. It is the precondition and guideline of admitting that human beings is a part of nature and forest is a complete, stable and beautiful eco-community, an integration of economic value, intrinsic value and other values, hence to manage it in line with its natural way, that is the law of ecology. Based on the above, this essay points out that when the issue of forest is concerned, we should follow some basic principles like to protect bio-diversity and to keep the integration of forestry eco-system, taking advantage of a great variety of the values of forest and making fair compensation and distribution of forestry resources. Moreover, we should also make the forest ethics become practice by the means of renewing the notion of forest, changing the strategy of the development of forest, modifying the policies of forestry industry, improving the current laws and regulations concerning forest and strengthening the education of environmental moral. The ultimate goal of forest ethics is to set up a green society where people can be harmonious with nature.