Pros And Cons Of Utilitarianism

Breathable air and drinkable water – two collective goods that people often take for granted. Many cannot imagine a world without these goods, but global climate change is leading down the path toward increased scarcity of these collective goods. By continuing with current trends, corporations, those who cut down the forests, and factory farms put clean air at risk by continuously emitting carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere. The increased temperatures due to global climate change lead to less snow, less glaciers, and ultimately less drinking water for all of the world’s people. Rather than allowing the loss and destruction of this planets collective goods to occur, all persons must begin addressing the root cause: global climate change. One effective way to ethically address this situation stems from using the lens of Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism, at its foundation, calls all persons to maximize

Every day, people make decisions that negatively affect the climate. They drive cars instead of riding bike, they eat factory farm raised meat instead of using other alternatives, and purchase items from companies that pollute the earth and demolish countless trees. Although driving, eating meat, and buying clothing do bring pleasure to these individuals, they also bring about displeasure in the world overall. From a utilitarian standpoint, these people are not acting in ways that bring about the most pleasure for all. The pleasure experienced in driving, eating meat, and buying clothing does not outweigh the pains of polluted air, rising temperatures, and lack of clean water ultimately brought forth by these same activities. Utilitarianism effectively address global climate change for the individual because it calls them to make small sacrifices – driving less, eating less meat, etc. – in order to maximize net utility for