ipl-logo

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Act Utilitarianism

806 Words4 Pages

The broad idea of sustainability is become increasingly important in today’s society. Specifically, the topic of climate change is one of the most well known and politically controversial issues that our society is currently facing. An overwhelming majority of the scientific community believes that human activity is the cause of climate change, however, the issue seems to still be up for debate in the eyes of the American public. As greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere, we can expect to observe a wide variety of related events, including: receding polar ice caps, rising sea levels, extreme drought, increased frequency of severe weather, and even displacement of people due to harsh climates. Humanity’s unbridled use of fossil …show more content…

The two predominant types of Utilitarianism are Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism. The former evaluates each act on an individual basis, and will be the subject of discussion in this paper. The latter considers a set of established and binding rules, intended to maximize happiness, to evaluate the morality of an action. In both types of Utilitarianism, the action that results in the greatest amount of happiness for all people involved is deemed to be the moral action. Traditionally, Cost-Benefit Analysis is used to make decisions that are affected by economics. The idea is simple; if benefits outweigh the cost, then action should be taken regarding the proposed changes. However, in most situations, including the issue at hand, it can be difficult to properly apply this analysis method. Any cost estimates for replacing fossil fuels with biomass are very rough approximations, and could vary by several orders of magnitude. Currently, the cost of transitioning to biomass processes is projected to be approximately $114 trillion. This figure includes the cost of retrofitting current facilities, building new facilities, as well as other economic factors such as the initial loss and subsequent creation of jobs. Furthermore, the monetary value of human life, as well as costs associated with the effect on quality of life must also be considered, both of which are highly subjective. Switching to biomass-based fuels would help preserve our planet for an untold number of future generations, and is another idea that is difficult, if not impossible, to quantify. While it is not feasible to apply the traditional Cost-Benefit Analysis in this case, the general idea can still be applied. Reducing humanity’s environmental impact by eliminating fossil fuels will, quite literally, save the planet. Any temporary sacrifices made by today’s society will be a

Show More
Related

Alberta's Economic Benefits Of Changing Over To Ethanol Fuel

788 Words | 4 Pages

Looking at the difference of ethanol fuel and gasoline, the benefits of ethanol fuel by far outweigh gasoline. With ethanol fuel being made from biomass the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is greatly reduced from those of gasoline emissions. This is allowed to happen because when ethanol fuel is burned, it is burned in almost complete combustion making the emissions much more clear and less harmful to the environment. With a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions the benefits to the environment are huge. Our economy would be allowed to spend less money on environmental factors and more for the people.

Read More

11th Hour Quote Analysis

873 Words | 4 Pages

This program would tax the general population and businesses on their excess use of fossil fuels. The money generated from this tax has been consistently argued about were it should be spent, however, a well liked solution has begun to emerge; putting the money towards renewable energy research projects. This would begin to break the debt-based fossil fuel cycle by providing consumers with another alternative (Conners). A carbon tax would force factories, businesses and the general population to become aware of their actions, helping to “change destructive environmental behaviour” (Conners). With an expense placed on carbon emissions, there would be a drop in extreme consumption of fossil fuels, as a result, people and businesses would adjust to more sustainable methods of

Read More

Key Macroeconomic Factors Affecting Canada's Energy Demand

2080 Words | 9 Pages

Faced with non-renewable fossil fuels and the environmental impacts they create, Canadian

Read More

Objection To Act Utilitarianism

1217 Words | 5 Pages

Utilitarianism is the moral theory that the action that people should take it the one that provides the greatest utility. In this paper I intend to argue that utilitarianism is generally untenable because act and rule utilitarianism both have objections that prove they cannot fully provide the sure answer on how to make moral decisions and what will be the ultimate outcome. I intend to do this by defining the argument for act and rule utilitarianism, giving an example, presenting the objections to act and rule utilitarianism and proving that utilitarianism is untenable. Both act and rule utilitarianism attempt to argue that what is right or wrong can be proven by what morally increases the well being of people. Act utilitarianism argues that

Read More

Environmental Effects Of Strip Mining On The Appalachian Region

2768 Words | 12 Pages

Today’s society relies on fossil fuels for nearly every industrial process. Oil, coal, and natural gas are utilized for heat, work, and lubrication. It is easy to see the benefits gained from the use of these substances, as they all provide the everyday conveniences humans have become accustomed to. However, their impact on the environment, specifically when they are harvested, is a matter that is frequently overlooked. The processes that humans use to extract fossil fuels have been shown to cause drinking water pollution, air pollution with greenhouse gases, a loss of species diversity, and a loss of geological diversity from “blasting off mountaintops to access underlying coal seams” (Arnold 1).

Read More

Examples Of Conscious Evolution

733 Words | 3 Pages

We are in a period in human history where pollution greenhouse gas emissions are at an all-time high. Through movements such as the inception of Earth Day and the creation of literature such as Silent Springs, the environmentalist movement has been propelled into not only the national scale but to a global scale. Nowadays climate change is one of the most talked about issues that we are all facing. Whether you are rich or poor, Black, White, Asian, or Hispanic, an animal or a plant, we are all going to be affected by the changes that will come about if we do nothing to alter the path that we have set ourselves onto and this is where conscious evolution steps in. We are now aware of our actions and know the root of the problems that we have caused for all living creatures on this planet.

Read More

The Pros And Cons Of Climate Change

442 Words | 2 Pages

In order to improve the disadvantage and allay the fears that the leaders have on economic concerns as a result of the Climate Change Policy, the government can do more in finding alternative energy sources that will not depend on the fossil fuels. Fossil fuel emission is the leading source of carbon emissions; if alternatives green sources are developed there will be less reliance on this form of energy (EPA, 2014). 2. Reference List (utilizing full APA citations) 350.org (2016). New Paris climate agreement ratifications reaffirm necessity to divest and break free from fossil fuels.

Read More

Cost-Benefit Analysis Utilitarianism

211 Words | 1 Pages

In chapters 10 of readings in risk Steven Kelman explorers cost-benefit analysis on an ethical basis. He believes that their are many instances where cost-benefit analysis (a utilitarian concept) is morally wrong. He likens cost-benefit analysis to lying, though at first the positive effects may outweigh the negatives eventually the negative effects may become the dominant characteristic. The problem with the utilitarianism view is that in many cases we see the utilitarian approach as morally wrong, some acts are moral even if the cost outweighs the benefits. A further problem is how do you break down costs of immaterial things like happiness which are utterly subjective since we want to look at all the benefits and costs.

Read More

Why We Shouldn T Burn Fossil Fuels

575 Words | 3 Pages

Burning fossil fuels causes global temperatures to increase. By 2300, scientists estimate that global temperatures will increase on an average of 46.4 degrees fahrenheit. (8 degrees celsius). According to research done by Canadian scientists, if we use all of Earth’s fossil fuel resources, 5 trillion metric tons of carbon will be added to the atmosphere. If what scientists say is going to become a reality, greenhouse gasses will transform the world into a place where many animals will be extinct, food will be limited, and some parts of the world will be uninhabitable for humans.

Read More

Advantages Of Act Utilitarianism

1494 Words | 6 Pages

There are two main types of utilitarianism: act and rule. Act-utlitarianism is Bentham's version of utilitarianism and operates by taking each situation on its own merits, wishing only to achieve the 'greatest hapiness for the greatest number' (Bentham, 2007) of people involved. There are no general rules, only the situation that applies to the individual. By contrast, for a rule-utilitarian, which is arguably Mill's version of utilitarianism, the greatest good for the greatest number is achieved when everyone follows laws and customs that aim to maximise the happiness of everyone, not just some individuals. Personally, I would assert that rule-utilitarianism has multiple advantages over act-utilitarianism and in this essay I intend to prove

Read More

Energy Change In The 19th Century

881 Words | 4 Pages

The speed and nature of energy innovations in the following centuries led to dramatic transformations in human life and economy as well as major environmental impacts. In the 19th century, a number of agrarian economies dependent on wood and animal power became industrial economies driven by coal and the steam engine (O’Connor, 2012). Many economies underwent another transformation relying on a variety of fuels in internal combustion engines and electricity generators. As the demand for energy services has changed, so have the fuels and conversion technologies employed to meet those demands. As populations have risen and economic activity has expanded, energy consumption has increased, primarily through the use of fossil fuels (O’Connor, 2012).

Read More

Global Warming Persuasive Essay

992 Words | 4 Pages

Pick up any newspaper or turn on any news channel and it is hard to avoid the topic of global warming. It is an ever growing issue that has caught the eye of many esteemed scholars with opposing positions regarding its severity. While there are very few scientist that denounce that global warming actually exists, the overwhelming debate is if mankind is actually the root cause of the problem. A vast array of scientist and political activist believe that CO2 emissions produced from fossil fuels are causing an increase in Earths greenhouse gases. They believe that it will inevitable cause global destruction if it is not rectified.

Read More

Should Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels

1270 Words | 6 Pages

Environment- The replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy (UCSUSA, 2013) will cause a decrease in CO2 emissions which will decrease pollution. By using renewable energy sources like solar energy, we also reduce our dependence on fossil fuel gas and oil reserves, which are becoming more expensive and difficult to find. It also reduces our dependence on imported fossil fuels, improving our energy security. Economic-

Read More

Persuasive Essay On Climate Change

734 Words | 3 Pages

Climate Change is one of the most unsettling problems mankind faces today. It leaves an impact on every single living thing, on every continent, no matter the privilege. Long term investment must be used to change the world. People must do more than just change out their light bulbs for eco-friendly ones, or drive fuel efficient cars. A choice as simple as changing our diets could reduce a human’s carbon footprint by fifty percent.

Read More

Human Pollution's Effect On The Environment

952 Words | 4 Pages

The environmental costs of using fossil fuels have led to efforts to decrease their level of use. Alternative energy sources that are more efficient are being sought, such as renewable resources

Read More

More about Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Act Utilitarianism

Related Topics

Open Document