There is clearly something a little off about planting apple cores in national parks, even though this activity may not be explicitly prohibited, like leaving trash, or taking away wildlife, fossils and minerals. It would not do if everyone planted apple cores, that would disturb the ecosystem. One view of ethics is that one should consider each action as though the whole of humanity might do it. Would it be good if everyone did? This view is expressed in Sartre's essay Existentialism is a Humanism. I told Dante about it and he thought it was a good rule, most of the time. But not to worry about the apples. It seems to me unlikely that everyone would want to plant apple cores, or in fact do many of the things that I do. I think the only sensible universal rule is do not kill, and there are quite possibly exceptions to that. I'm not a pacifist. Levinas said that we are called on by the other not to kill, and that makes sense to me. He also said that first and foremost we are responsible for the freedom of others.
Driving across the country is also not the most environmentally friendly act. On the radio, I heard an interview with two men who decided to make the drive virtually, online, instead, using Google Earth and Youtube. There is something sterile about that, to me. Although perhaps I should look into planting more virtual apples.
I do think about the carbon footprint. If any of the apple trees grow, I reckon we will be ahead of flying.
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