Cultivate and Preserve Theological Aspects of a Land (Use) Ethics

An ethics of land use is to be embedded in a comprehensive ethics of the earth. An ethics of the foundations of life of the human species in the comprehensive sense has to reflect the responsibility of humans for the earth as their habitat. Aldo Leopold (1887-1948), who also coined the term, is considered the pioneer of a land ethic. After general remarks on the subject of a land ethic or an ethic of the earth (1), Leopold's conception is presented in more detail, which was further developed by J. Baird Callicott (2). In a further step of investigation (3), Leopold's land ethic is juxtaposed with concepts of a theology of the earth, in order to finally discuss (4) central aspects of a biblically inspired land (use) ethic of land use.