Moral confidence in agriculture

Abstract

This chapter argues that those engaged in agriculture, whether practitioners, research scientists, extension agents, technology developers, or technology suppliers, they share an unexamined moral confidence about the goodness of their activity. The chapter also argues that the basis of that moral confidence is not obvious to those who have it or to those not involved in, but who may be curious about agriculture and its technology. In fact, the moral confidence that pervades agricultural practice is potentially harmful because it is unexamined by most of its practitioners. Regular debate about ethics and the applicability of moral theories to agriculture have not been part of intellectual discourse within agriculture. Discussion concludes that agricultural colleagues must accept the burden of beginning the difficult task of doing a discriminating cultural and moral analysis of agriculture and its results. One must strive for a careful analysis of what it is about agriculture and society that thwarts or limits aspirations and needs modification. To preserve what is best about modern agriculture, and to identify and oppose the abuses that modern technology has wrought on land, people, and other creatures, and finally begin to correct them will require many lifetimes of work. Agriculturalists must try to see agriculture in its many guises—productive, scientific, environmental, economic, social, political, and moral. It is no longer sufficient to justify all agricultural activities on the basis of increased production. Other criteria, many with a clear ethical foundation, must be included.