Environmental neuroethics: Setting the foundations

The ways in which humans relate to their environments have been studied from different perspectives, including ethics, sociology, behavioral sciences, and genetics. This chapter discusses an emerging approach within neuroethics—environmental neuroethics—that focuses on ethical and social implications of environmental influences on brain health and mental health. It begins with an overview of different disciplinary approaches to examine the relationship between the environment and human health and follows with a discussion of environmental effects on brain and mental health. It then argues for the importance of generating normative discussion about related issues, particularly because these matters are of global concern with linked social justice implications. This section also lays the foundations for the first generation of environmental neuroethics. The chapter concludes with key questions and challenges ahead for environmental neuroethics.