- Published: September 13, 2022
- Updated: September 13, 2022
- University / College: Michigan State University
- Language: English
- Downloads: 38
1. What are the possible ethical considerations of banning or restricting the developing world’s access to the same cheaper technologies that made the US what it is today?
Current news and politics is full of concern about theenvironment, particularly as it is related to oil use and the auto industry. There are a number of ethical considerations that arise out of these issues.
Please be sure to answer ALL of the following questions:
•Some propose that these concerns could be alleviated if our use of cars was limited by increased gasoline taxes–if gas is more expensive, we will use less of it and, as a beneficial by-product, improve the environment. What do you think of this proposal and what theory would support your position? Are there injustices built into such measures? If so, is there any practical way to avoid them?
•What about the possibility that the US auto industry, encouraged by its partial owner, the US government, will no longer produce large gas guzzlers (think Hummer) or will subsidize hybrid or green cars? Is it ethical for the government to essentially prevent a US company from producing a legal good or encourage a company to produce one good over another? What ethical theory supports your position? •What are the possible ethical considerations of banning or restricting the developing world’s access to the same cheaper technologies (fluorocarbons, coal burning plants, etc.) that made the US what it is today?
•Finally, the world today is full of news about fracking, the process by which a high volume of liquid is pumped into the ground to fracture rock and extract natural gas. What are the ethical considerations of either permitting or prohibiting property owners from using their property in this manner?
Make sure that you have adequately dealt with all the subtleties of the particular theory. The answers to these questions can be found in the text but merely quoting from the text or paraphrasing the text will earn minimal credit–the answers should be in your own words and should involve some explanation and discussion of what these concepts mean.
