Anthropocentrism

Anthropocentrism is a philosophical and ethical position that regards humans as the central or most significant entities in the world. In this view, the value of the natural environment and other beings is typically judged primarily by their usefulness to human welfare, interests, or flourishing. It is often contrasted with ecocentrism and biocentrism, which attribute intrinsic value to ecosystems or all living beings, regardless of their usefulness to humans.

Historically, anthropocentric ideas appear in ancient and medieval thought and became prominent in Western traditions that emphasize human rationality, stewardship, or dominion over nature. In modern environmental ethics, the term is used to describe theories that grant humans special moral status, while some theorists distinguish between weak anthropocentrism (humans have a privileged but not exclusive status) and strong anthropocentrism (only humans have intrinsic value).

In practice, anthropocentrism underpins many policy and management decisions, including cost-benefit analysis and the valuation of ecosystem services. It often informs resource use, conservation priorities, and risk assessment by framing nature as a means to human ends.

Critics argue that strict anthropocentrism fails to recognize the intrinsic value of nonhuman life and ecosystems and can justify environmental harm. Alternative frameworks, such as ecocentrism and biocentrism, seek to broaden moral considerability beyond humans and are influential in debates on animal welfare, climate ethics, and conservation.