Ethics, science and environment: the need for a new environmental worldview

On the question whether Science and Technology are under the surveillance of ethics, the answer is that scientists are responsible for the use of scientific achievements. Science, as a section of Culture, has been developed to assist human beings and has the moral obligation of improving the quality of life. As far as Environment is concerned, the initial harmonic relationship between man and Environment has been seriously disturbed during recent decades. The uncontrolled advancement of Technology and mankind’s dominant behaviour over Nature, have created serious ecological problems. Unless these problems will be controlled, they may produce irreversible adverse trends which may even jeopardise earth’s capacity. In order to achieve viable development and harmonious coexistence between humanity and Nature, mankind has to form a new relationship with the environment. The Christian Orthodox tradition provides the foundations of an Orthodox Environmental Ethic, which will provide sufficient teleological and religious reasons for environmental protection.