Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 3(4), pp. 108 - 118
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2015.030405
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Fuzzy Evaluation of Progress towards Sustainable Development: The Need for Environmental Ethics and Eco-religions Revival

Lucas Andrianos ^*
Institute of Theology and Ecology, Orthodox Academy of Crete, Greece

ABSTRACT

It is universally recognized that the disharmony of human activities with its environment and the ongoing ecological crisis may lead the Earth to an irreversible chaotic destiny. Politicians and scientists strive for the mitigations of environmental damages but there is no consensus for the causal root and remedy of the problems: global ethical recession. Chasing ephemeral economical progress homo sapiens has gradually evolved from “homo religiosus” to “homo economucus”. Family concept has been reduced to its minimal economic unit and social injustices exceed every limit. The gap between the rich and the poor has reached the upper level that human history has never attained. The influences of religions on daily life become marginal and human activities are no longer restricted by ethical consciousness. As a result, the conservation of life support on Earth and the viability of sustainable development become the most alarming challenges for the 21st century. We proposed a methodology for measuring sustainable development called “Sustainability Assessment using Fuzzy logic Evaluation (S.A.F.E.). The results of the SAFE model coupled with the analysis of some case studies on national level reveal that environmental ethics could constitute an important group of “response” indicators which may control overall development sustainability. The use of fuzzy logic in sustainability assessment appears relevant because environmental ethics indicators are not numerically measurable. As conclusion, decision makers should stop confronting environmental problems with solely technological and political solutions. Religions and environmental ethics revival must be given the highest priority because of their ability to control human activities and, therefore, to secure sustainable behavior. Specifically, Christianity that teaches unconditional love for “neighborhood”, human and non-human alike, may actively reinforce the practice of sustainable behavior and avert the unsustainable path of modern society.

KEYWORDS
Sustainable Development, Fuzzy Logic, Environmental Ethics, Christianity

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Lucas Andrianos , "Fuzzy Evaluation of Progress towards Sustainable Development: The Need for Environmental Ethics and Eco-religions Revival," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 108 - 118, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2015.030405.

(b). APA Format:
Lucas Andrianos (2015). Fuzzy Evaluation of Progress towards Sustainable Development: The Need for Environmental Ethics and Eco-religions Revival. Environment and Ecology Research, 3(4), 108 - 118. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2015.030405.