Question 1

In what ways does Hill suggest that those who fail to respect natural environments are falling short of ideals of human excellence? Raise what you think is the most serious objection to his view. Is your objection successful? Why or why not?

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Question 2

What vices does Hill think are displayed by those who fail to respect to nature? What virtues does he think they fail to display? Do you agree with Hill's claims? Defend your answers and explain their implications for how we should relate to the environment.

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Question 3

According to Broome, what kind of duty is owed to a particular person or persons?

Accepted Answer

Broome argues that duties of justice are owed to particular individuals, while duties of goodness are more general obligations to promote the overall good. Civic duties refer to obligations to the state or society as a whole. Therefore, the best choice is A.

Question 4

Which of the following is true of duties of goodness?

Accepted Answer

Duties of goodness concern improving the world, but they do not apply only to governments and they do not necessarily trump all other kinds of moral duties. Therefore, option C is the only accurate statement.

Question 5

In the private morality of climate change, why are duties of justice more important than duties of goodness according to Broome?

Accepted Answer

Individual resources are better directed to areas where they will have a greater impact.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of public morality?

Accepted Answer

Public morality includes both duties of justice, such as treating individuals fairly and equally, and duties of goodness, such as promoting the general welfare of society. It also encompasses the moral duties of governments in upholding these values and serving the common good.

Question 7

Which of the following is true of duties of justice?

Accepted Answer

Duties of justice involve respecting the rights of individuals. They do not apply only to individuals and do not necessarily require that we never cause harm to any individual.

Question 8

Why, according to Broome, is the harm done by emissions an injustice?

Accepted Answer

Broome argues that the harm done by emissions is an injustice for several reasons. First, the harm is not accidental but rather a result of intentional actions by emitters. Second, the harm is serious and affects the health, well-being, and even lives of individuals and communities. Finally, those who are harmed are not compensated for the damage done to them, which is a violation of basic principles of justice.

Question 9

How does Broome recommend we carry out our duty not to cause the emission of greenhouse gas?

Accepted Answer

Broome recommends that we carry out our duty not to cause the emission of greenhouse gas by reducing our emissions and engaging in offsetting. While compensating victims directly and making restitutions through a collective international scheme may be important steps, the primary focus should be on reducing emissions and offsetting those that cannot be eliminated.

Question 10

Which of the following is true of offsetting?

Accepted Answer

Offsetting is a way of avoiding the harm caused by emissions. It involves investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as renewable energy or reforestation, in order to balance out the emissions produced by an individual or organization. It does not necessarily compensate victims of climate change or constitute a duty of goodness, and it is not necessarily a violation of our duties of justice.

Question 11

In economics, a harm that is not borne by the person or persons who caused it is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

An externality is a cost or benefit that affects a third party who did not choose to incur that cost or benefit. It is a type of market failure where the price of a good or service does not reflect all of its costs or benefits. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. The other choices do not accurately describe a harm that is not borne by the person or persons who caused it.

Question 12

According to Broome, which of the following is true of government's duty to improve climate conditions?

Accepted Answer

Broome believes that it is possible for the government to improve climate conditions without demanding net sacrifices from its citizens. He argues that with the right policies and incentives, citizens can be motivated to make choices that benefit the environment without significantly inconveniencing them.

Question 13

Why does Broome claim that, in the domain of private morality, duties of justice take precedence over duties of goodness when it comes to climate? Is he right about this in your view? Why or why not?

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Question 14

Broome claims that individuals who cause emissions are committing an injustice. How does he argue for this claim? Is his argument convincing in your view? Why or why not?

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Question 15

Broome claims that no one needs to make any sacrifice to solve the problem caused by the externality of greenhouse gas emissions. What does he mean by this and how does he argue for it? Are you convinced? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

According to Sinnott-Armstrong, it can be morally better not to drive unnecessarily without

Accepted Answer

Sinnott-Armstrong argues that it can be morally better not to drive unnecessarily because of the environmental impact, even if it's not considered outright wrong to do so. This perspective emphasizes the importance of individual actions in contributing to broader environmental goals without necessarily invoking legal or moral obligations.

Question 17

Sinnott-Armstrong points out that greenhouse gases are perfectly fine in small quantities- the problem emerges only when there is too much of them. Which principle does this undermine as a basis for the wrongness of driving unnecessarily?

Accepted Answer

The harm principle states that it is wrong to cause harm to others through one's actions. However, Sinnott-Armstrong's argument shows that the harm caused by greenhouse gases only emerges when there is too much of them, and therefore, small quantities are not harmful. This undermines the harm principle as a basis for the wrongness of driving unnecessarily.

Question 18

According to Sinnott-Armstrong, it should be clear from the start that

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Question 19

According to Sinnott-Armstrong, the harm principle does not make it wrong to drive unnecessarily because doing so

Accepted Answer

According to Sinnott-Armstrong, the harm principle only prohibits actions that cause harm to others. Driving unnecessarily does not cause harm to anyone, so it is not inherently wrong according to the harm principle.

Question 20

Sinnott-Armstrong objects to the contribution principle as a basis for the wrongness of driving unnecessarily on the grounds that doing so

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 14: The Environment