Question

Is it Moral to Poach Elephants for Ivory?

Context: This activity will give you the opportunity to apply normative ethical theories to a contemporary moral problem and assess the merits of these theories. You will make a judgment about the morality of poaching elephants for ivory in Africa.

Here are the facts. The Great Elephant Consensus estimates that between 410,000 – 650,000 elephants remain in the wild in Africa (“Resources,” n.d.). But experts believe the number is likely closer to the 410,000 mark. A recent study found that elephants are being poached at a rate of 33,630 elephants per year, based on a three year population decline of 100,000 between 2010 and 2012 (Scriber, 2014). That means, on average, one elephant is being killed every fifteen minutes. If the current rates of poaching continue, elephants will likely be extinct in the African wild within the next ten to fifteen years.

While there are several reasons for the decline, the primary driver is poaching, which escalated after CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) opened a loophole in the law that allowed illegal ivory to flood the global market. This was coupled with a growing middle class in China, which has a legal ivory carving trade. China is the largest consumer of ivory in the world, and the United States is the second largest retail market for ivory. (Several states have passed, or are in the process of banning ivory and rhino horn sales to help curb this demand). This increase in demand drives up the street value of ivory, now valued at about $1,500 per pound, which incentivizes poaching (The Week Staff, 2014).

Poaching causes environmental damage. Elephants are a keystone species, which means their activities play a significant role in maintaining the health of their ecosystems. Their activities enable both flora and fauna to flourish. Poaching also causes economic damage. If elephants become extinct, then Africa will lose a significant source of income from tourism. Last, illegal poaching funds international crime and terrorism and destabilizes local governments (Bergenas & Medina, 2014).

Is it moral to poach elephants for ivory?

Description: Craft a forum post (300-500 words) in which you do the following. First, answer the question (Is it moral to poach elephants for ivory?) from two of the three normative theories. Be sure to make the moral logic explicit. Second, assess the strengths and weaknesses of each position. Third, discuss your own viewpoint on the issue.

Answer 1

It is a sad truth that elephants are hunted by the criminal gangs for their ivory. It is not moral to poach elephants for ivory and this is true from the standpoints of both deontological and teleological normative theory.

In deontological viewpoint, the focus is on moral duties (what is right) rather than on an action's consequences (what is good). Here, the right is prior to the good. If we see from a deontological point of view, reason, intuition or moral sense reveals what is right, i.e., poaching of elephants for ivory is immoral, and what is right is obvious and undeniable.On a deontological analysis, it is never possible to do an incorrect action with the right intention. Here we are not concern with the consequences. Killing elephants for ivory is in itself an immoral act,no matter what the consequences are.

Teleological normative ethical theories focus on moral value or goodness rather than on moral duties or obligations. These theories argue that an action's consequences (what is good) rather than on moral obligations (what is right), and appeal to human nature and experience to determine what the good is.Here, we know that the consequences of poaching and killing elephants is grave for the entire biodiversity. Elephants, because of their size, appetite and migratory habits, disperse more seeds of more species further than any other animal. Without them the ecology would face dire consequences.

I believe we must strictly stand united against poaching. Ivory trade should be addressed as a moral and social issue and there should be an outrage and social disapproval for any ivory products, thus discouraging ivory trade.