M3LA_wzz5097

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  1. Do the ends justify the means (ends ethics vs. means ethics)?
    – Justifying the importance of ‘process’ and ‘consequence’ is rather a fairly complex question. As the class text poses, ‘is it fundamentally wrong to ever perform the action of chopping down a tree, or is it acceptable to chop down trees when the consequences of chopping the tree down are good enough?’1 There is an interconnected relationship going on here. Sometimes the process itself functions as the consequence of another process. For example, the process of cutting down a tree is the consequence of a work plan and workers’ effort. While cutting down a tree is in a process of managing forest. Managing a forest is also the consequence of the goal of helping the environment. Shifting to cleaner fuel is also the process of achieving cleaner air. However, we can also achieve this by innovating more efficient engines. Consequence is definitely crucial, as well as the process. Many people believe that ’means’ justify ‘ends’ with the example of mountain climbing. The view along the way is more important than getting to the mountain summit. Without the process, there is no way to have a consequence, whether it’s good or not. In order to achieve living sustainably, we need to pay close attention to what steps and actions we take.Reference: Text, Basic Ethics Concepts, Module 3
  2. Is it more important to be a good person or to perform good acts (virtue ethics vs. action ethics)?Performing good acts doesn’t necessary suggest that one is a good person, while a good person would perform good acts. A civil official works hard to pass legislations that benefit people and regularly visit and help those in need. But on the other hand this officer also receive the bribery and being corrupted. So being a good person and performing good acts are two different sides. It is very vague to categorize a person to be a good person, as he/she may be good in certain characteristics or aspects. In order to become a good person, performing good acts is certain. In China, many people eat dog meat while there is also a large number of groups of those who advocate and take actions to protect dogs. They are good people when they are protecting the animals. However, they also take some violent actions to protect dogs from being slaughtered. There are always conflicts and clash between dog protectors and dog meat merchandise. Performing good acts indeed have a good intention and beneficial consequences. However, the process of performing such good acts may have negative effects. It is very one-sided when we simply judging by whether a person is good or bad or performing an act. However, we could come up with the decision if we could value these by comparing the benefits and costs like we do in economics.
  3. Do ecosystems matter for their own sake, or do they only matter to the extent that they impact humans (ecocentric ethics vs. anthropocentric ethics)?
    – Even though ecosystems matter for their own sake, they are more beneficial when they help human. Through education and daily life we develop a sense of civic, which we are kind to the environment. We are taught to protect environment. We are taught not to litter. We are taught to not abuse animals. However, these are very pale arguments when we are considering questions like to live a better life or not. Indeed, ecosystem very important and they exist for their own sake. However, no one could deny that one function of the ecosystem is to provide people with sufficient resources, food, and nutrition. We need meat to gain certain vitamin and protein. We need vegetables and fruits to obtain multiple vitamins and stay healthy. Without utilizing the nature, human would not evolve to the condition nowadays. Civicly speaking, ecosystems enjoy the same rights as we do. Economically speaking, human’s supply and demand base on the ecosystem.

2 thoughts on “M3LA_wzz5097”

  1. Hello Wenjie
    My name is Justin, and my ethical view after doing this activity have been truly tested. after reflecting on the questions provided, I have come to conclude that you need a healthy mixture of ecocentric and anthropocentric views. as well as a good judgement and critical thinking when i comes to justifying “good” acts. I mostly agree with you views on ethics. In regard to your ecocentric view I would like to add that, although we should utilize the environment in which we live, but we she do that in a very responsible way. as i referred to in my blog, we must be conscience of how we leave the environment to the future generations. if we exploit all of our resources from the environment now, the future of mankind will struggle greatly if left with a ransacked planet.

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