Agriculture’s Moral Dilemmas and the Need for Agroecology

Abstract

Those engaged in agriculture possess a definite but unexamined moral confidence or certainty about the correctness of what they do. The basis of the moral confidence is not obvious to those who have it, or to the public. In fact, the moral confidence that pervades agriculture is potentially harmful because it is unexamined. It is necessary that those engaged in agriculture analyze what it is about agriculture in society that favors, inhibits, or limits agriculture. All should strive to nourish and strengthen the aspects of agriculture that are beneficial and change those that are not. To do this all must be confident to study ourselves, our institutions, and be dedicated to the task of modifying the values and goals of both.