Year: 1978
Type: dissertation
Abstract: By showing that it is neither absurd nor impossible to give natural objects legal rights, this dissertation renders unfounded any view which assumes otherwise.CHAPTER I I WHY GIVE NATURAL OBJECTS LEGAL RIGHTS?than anything which might be warranted by policy consider- ations alone.For example, if a river has a right to seek redress for damages to it caused by the presence of toxic pollutants, then persons and institutions (industries, agencies, courts, governments) may be required to spend much time, energy and money to secure that right, e.g., by cleaning up the river, constructing treatment facilities to handle waste, or restocking the river with fish.Mere considerations of social policy or of human interest may justify only limited preventive measures. SummaryMany concerns motivating NOM have been offered.Each provides an explanation of how the issue "rights for natural objects" arises and a reason why theorists have or might argue for awarding legal rights to non-humans, natural objects.No attempt has been made to assess these reasons or to identify the disadvantages of giving natural objects legal rights.Thus, the question whether one should give natural objects legal rights, has been left open .
DOI: 10.7275/11674
Author: Warren, Karen
Language: English
Topic: Environmental law and policy
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2612716703