Forest culture between science and ethics

Abstract

On the basis of the cultural, social and politica1 change that in a very short time has brought about the present day concept of sustainable management the authors examine the ethical values that underlie forest management. The idea of recognising the forest as a subject with rights descends from the recognition of its intrinsic value. The economic consequences relate to the interrelations between ecology, ethics and the forest system. Connecting the forest only to the market implies the un-sustainability of forest management. Forest management is sustainable if each system interacts with the other systems and growth processes are congruent with a project aimed at the social and cultural progress. The authors conclude that there must be a shift from the concept of value of things, which permeates present day culture, to that of value in things, especially when referring to biotic communities.