Arguing for Religious Values as the Foundation of Environmental Ethics - An Islamic Perspective
Osman Bakar, PhD (2025). Arguing for Religious Values as the Foundation of Environmental Ethics - An Islamic Perspective. IHYA
Abstract: This article argues for the adoption of religious values (al-qiyam al-diniyyah) as the theological-metaphysical foundation of environmental ethics (akhlaqiyyah al-bi’ah) in the light of the teachings of the Quran. It briefly discusses the basic meaning of environmental ethics viewed as a branch of the traditional science of ethics (‘ilm al-akhlaq) and in the light of the semantic field of the Arabic word al-bi’ah (environment). Significantly, the semantic of bi’ah allows us to speak of a comprehensive concept of environment embracing the biophysical and built kinds. This article also discusses the basic meaning of religious values, which it identifies with the tawhidic values embodied in the divine attributes and qualities that are abundantly displayed both in the Quran and in the Book of Nature. It argues that in the Islamic perspective it is these tawhidic values that shape man’s understanding of and practical conduct towards the environment, which is what environmental ethics all about. Environmental ethics is defined in this article as that branch of knowledge which deals with ecological, both natural and cultural, and moral-ethical principles governing man’s treatment of the natural environment and his organization of the built environment with the view of ensuring ecological health. Accordingly, the article discusses some of these ecological and moral-ethical principles, especially the concept of a multidimensional utility of nature. Without spiritual, moral, and intellectual motives, human beings will be deprived of most of the good justifications for wanting to protect the natural environment.
Osman Bakar, PhD (2025). Arguing for Religious Values as the Foundation of Environmental Ethics - An Islamic Perspective. IHYA
TY - JOUR
AU - Osman Bakar
AU - PhD
TI - Arguing for Religious Values as the Foundation of Environmental Ethics - An Islamic Perspective
PY - 2025
JO - IHYA
AB - This article argues for the adoption of religious values (al-qiyam al-diniyyah) as the theological-metaphysical foundation of environmental ethics (akhlaqiyyah al-bi’ah) in the light of the teachings of the Quran. It briefly discusses the basic meaning of environmental ethics viewed as a branch of the traditional science of ethics (‘ilm al-akhlaq) and in the light of the semantic field of the Arabic word al-bi’ah (environment). Significantly, the semantic of bi’ah allows us to speak of a comprehensive concept of environment embracing the biophysical and built kinds. This article also discusses the basic meaning of religious values, which it identifies with the tawhidic values embodied in the divine attributes and qualities that are abundantly displayed both in the Quran and in the Book of Nature. It argues that in the Islamic perspective it is these tawhidic values that shape man’s understanding of and practical conduct towards the environment, which is what environmental ethics all about. Environmental ethics is defined in this article as that branch of knowledge which deals with ecological, both natural and cultural, and moral-ethical principles governing man’s treatment of the natural environment and his organization of the built environment with the view of ensuring ecological health. Accordingly, the article discusses some of these ecological and moral-ethical principles, especially the concept of a multidimensional utility of nature. Without spiritual, moral, and intellectual motives, human beings will be deprived of most of the good justifications for wanting to protect the natural environment.
ER -
TY - JOUR
AU - Osman Bakar
AU - PhD
TI - Arguing for Religious Values as the Foundation of Environmental Ethics - An Islamic Perspective
PY - 2025
JO - IHYA
ER -
@article{704bb1add89a0d74d140b1c3a8c82461,
author = {Osman Bakar, PhD},
title = {Arguing for Religious Values as the Foundation of Environmental Ethics - An Islamic Perspective},
year = {2025},
journal = {IHYA},
abstract = {This article argues for the adoption of religious values (al-qiyam al-diniyyah) as the theological-metaphysical foundation of environmental ethics (akhlaqiyyah al-bi’ah) in the light of the teachings of the Quran. It briefly discusses the basic meaning of environmental ethics viewed as a branch of the traditional science of ethics (‘ilm al-akhlaq) and in the light of the semantic field of the Arabic word al-bi’ah (environment). Significantly, the semantic of bi’ah allows us to speak of a comprehensive concept of environment embracing the biophysical and built kinds. This article also discusses the basic meaning of religious values, which it identifies with the tawhidic values embodied in the divine attributes and qualities that are abundantly displayed both in the Quran and in the Book of Nature. It argues that in the Islamic perspective it is these tawhidic values that shape man’s understanding of and practical conduct towards the environment, which is what environmental ethics all about. Environmental ethics is defined in this article as that branch of knowledge which deals with ecological, both natural and cultural, and moral-ethical principles governing man’s treatment of the natural environment and his organization of the built environment with the view of ensuring ecological health. Accordingly, the article discusses some of these ecological and moral-ethical principles, especially the concept of a multidimensional utility of nature. Without spiritual, moral, and intellectual motives, human beings will be deprived of most of the good justifications for wanting to protect the natural environment.}
}
@article{704bb1add89a0d74d140b1c3a8c82461,
author = {Osman Bakar, PhD},
title = {Arguing for Religious Values as the Foundation of Environmental Ethics - An Islamic Perspective},
year = {2025},
journal = {IHYA}
}
