Environment William F. Baxter argues in favor of a people-oriented perspective on environmentalism in his article "People or Penguins." According to Baxter, measures to protect or conserve natural resources are only meaningful if they benefit human beings. In fact, the author asserts that concerns like clean air and water should be the means, not the end. Human beings, Baxter feels, are the end. Penguins and pine trees matter insofar as they please human beings, but they do not matter for their own sake. To support his arguments, Baxter first outlines four philosophical criteria by which he bases his observations about environmentalism. First, Baxter urges that all persons should do as they will as long as they do not "interfere with the interests of other human beings," (604). Second, Baxter notes that human beings possess limited resources, not just natural products like coal or water but also human labor resources. Therefore, we must take care to prevent wastefulness. Third, Baxter asserts that each person must be "afforded dignity" and an "even-handed application" of rules and laws (604). Finally, the author advocates the redistribution of wealth as a means to solving thorny problems such as the debate over environmental protection. In addition to these four criteria, Baxter also provides six reasons why selfishness is "the only tenable starting place for analysis," (605). These four fundamental criteria on which Baxter bases his argument are reasonable, sound, and morally unobjectionable, and I agree that "no other position" other than selfishness...
Whether with the environment or with international relations, people make stupid choices that often have far-reaching, disastrous consequences. Even as he acknowledges selfishness as an immutable part of human nature, Baxter fails to acknowledge its impact on political and economic decision making. For example, the author states that massive environmental degradation is virtually impossible because people depend on non-human life forms and would not deplete natural resources out of common sense (605). However, Baxter does not address demands for capital consumption and unlimited corporate growth that might undermine common sense and reason. Furthermore, precisely because the four types of resources (labor, technology, capital goods, and natural resources) are as limited as Baxter suggests, environmental laws are necessary for keeping corporate avarice in check and preserving what is indeed the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Selfishness Like any other sort of human vice, selfishness -- or the excessive concern with one's own individual desires and appetites -- can be threatening to the established social order if it slips out of control. Our own definition of selfishness takes into account its social effects: we establish selfishness as a vice by emphasizing not only the excessive self-regard it demonstrates, but also the excessive disregard for the well-being of
Selfishness of Employees There are a number of problems that need to be addressed by the company, and to do this will require decisive leadership. That leadership must combine a common strategic vision with the ability to transfer ideas between cultures. This paper will explain this concept of leadership as it pertains to running a global organization that faces some difficulties. There are a number of different communications issues that have lead
Rand's Rational Self Interest Rand’s philosophy regarding selfishness and altruism contains a crucial dichotomy, as virtually anyone’s philosophy regarding opposite concepts would. However, the opposition in Rand’s concept may surprise those who are not familiar with her philosophy. At a very basic level, Rand is stating that selfishness is actually good, and that altruism is really evil in “Introduction to the Virtue of Selfishness”. Thus, there is opposition found within this
Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand The Rationalization and Pursuit of Self-interest of Humanity in "The Virtue of Selfishness" by Ayn Rand Ayn Rand's collection of essays in the book "The Virtue of Selfishness" provides insightful thoughts about the emergence of rationalization and individualism within the individual. The author discusses how the dawn of humankind had already seen the emergence of individualism and rationalization. It is only in the process of
Self-compassion is an important concept to understand because it falls under the category of self-care. Selfishness on the other hand does not. Selfishness is commonly associated with actions that may satisfy a certain desire but that do not actually promote a holistic good. Self-compassion on the other hand is oriented towards helping the self. Bowen (2017) states that one should look at it this way: self-compassion is about showing love
Others argue against Ethical Egoism. The work of Pecorino states as an argument against Ethical Egoism the facts as follows: Ethical Egoism "provides no moral basis for solving conflicts between people; (2) Ethical Egoism "obligates each person to prevent others from doing the right thing; (3) Has the same logical basis as racism"; (4) "The egoist cannot advise others to be egoists because it works against the first egoists
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