Ethical Principles for Planetary Health: A Preliminary Inquiry

The field of planetary health ethics is beginning to emerge. This commentary represents a preliminary effort to articulate ethical principles for planetary health by considering three domains: (1) non-sentient nature, (2) non-human animals, and (3) human beings. The paper gives special attention to Japanese traditions and concepts as a possible basis for broader ethical principles that may be universally applicable to how we relate to nature, other animals, and human beings, in the pursuit of planetary health. Ultimately, the process of defining ethical principles for planetary health challenges us to move away from human-centered ethics and practices. It requires that we think of human beings as essentially part of the planet, spiritually connected to the natural elements and sentient animals around us (rather than viewing ourselves as the owners of the planet's resources, destined to consume nature and animals for our own purposes).