O princípio responsabilidade e a crítica às éticas antropocêntricas: por uma ética ambiental.

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze aspects of philosopher Hans Jonas's thought, particularly his argument in favor of constructing an ethical model that addresses the challenges posed by technological civilization. Jonas presents a critical reflection on traditional ethical models, focusing on two aspects: their anthropocentric nature and their approach to issues concerning the present time, thereby overlooking our responsibility towards nature and future time. The methodology used is qualitative, as it is based on a theoretical and interpretive bibliographical study, analyzing two of his main works, The Imperative of Responsibility and Technology, Medicine, and Ethics, supported by complementary sources from authors studying Hans Jonas's thought. Thus, in this work, we emphasize that for the philosopher, the crisis faced by the West is interpreted as stemming from the indiscriminate use of scientific technology, which, by imposing the transition of humans from subject to object of technology, results in environmental devastation and consequent threats to future generations and all forms of life. We also highlight that, grounding his analysis in the field of ethics, Jonas engages with Kant’s categorical imperative, acknowledges the importance of such an ethical model, but proposes a new ethical principle that transcends the focus on humanity and addresses technological civilization. Finally, this research demonstrates the necessity of overcoming any ethical model limited to addressing human challenges in the present time, emphasizing the importance and urgency of proposing a new ethics grounded in the responsibility to include the protection and preservation of all forms of life, now and in the future.