Question

Many environmentalists have urged environmental awareness on consumers, saying that if we accept moral responsibility for our effects on the environment, then products that directly or indirectly harm the environment ought to be avoided. Unfortunately it is usually impossible for consumers to assess the environmental impact of a product, and thus impossible for them to consciously restrict their purchases to environmentally benign products. Because of this impossibility there can be no moral duty to choose products in the way these environmentalists urge, since Which one of the following principles provides the most appropriate completion for the argument? (A) a moral duty to perform an action is never based solely on the effects the action will have on other people (B) a person cannot possibly have a moral duty to do what he or she is unable to do (C) moral considerations should not be the sole determinants of what products are made available to consumers (D) the morally right action is always the one whose effects produce the least total harm (E) where a moral duty exists, it supersedes any legal duty and any other kind of duty

Short answer

(B) a person cannot possibly have a moral duty to do what he or she is unable to do.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Argument

The argument states that consumers are unable to assess the environmental impact of products, making it impossible for them to responsibly choose products. It concludes that because of this impossibility, there cannot be a moral duty to select environmentally friendly products.

Identify Key Aspect of the Argument

The key aspect here is the concept of impossibility. The argument hinges on the idea that because it is impossible for consumers to accurately assess environmental impacts, they cannot hold a moral obligation in choosing products.

Analyze Each Principle

Review each principle to evaluate which one aligns with the idea that inability affects moral duty. Option (A) talks about effects on other people, which is unrelated to the argument of impossibility. Option (C) talks about moral considerations in production, not consumer choice. Option (D) deals with the outcomes of actions, not the ability to recognize those outcomes. Option (E) deals with prioritization of duties, not impossibility.

Identify the Correct Principle

Option (B) states that a person cannot have a moral duty to do what is impossible for them to do. This directly matches the argument's premise that assessing the environmental impact is impossible, thus negating a moral duty.

Key concepts

Environmental Awareness

Being environmentally aware means understanding how natural systems function and recognizing the impact human behavior has on them. This awareness often translates into making more sustainable choices, such as reducing energy consumption or recycling materials.
By increasing environmental awareness, individuals can begin to understand the importance of their role in protecting natural resources.
Environmental awareness in the context of consumer behavior involves:

• Choosing products with minimal negative environmental effects.
• Supporting companies with sustainable practices.
• Reducing personal carbon footprints.

An informed consumer will seek out knowledge about the environmental footprint of their purchases and aim to make choices that support global sustainability objectives. Overall, raising environmental awareness is a crucial step toward achieving a more sustainable coexistence with our planet.

Moral Responsibility

Moral responsibility refers to the ethical obligation individuals have to make choices that consider the welfare of others and the impact on the environment. This often involves making efforts to mitigate harm and promote positive outcomes.
In the realm of environmental ethics, moral responsibility entails:

• Understanding the interconnectedness of actions and global environmental effects.
• Acknowledging one's role in environmental degradation and striving for improvement.
• Advocating and practicing sustainability principles in daily life.

However, as outlined in the exercise, moral responsibility can be limited by a person's ability to discern the environmental impacts of their consumer actions. Without the necessary information, the ability to act morally becomes constrained, thus influencing the extent of one's moral obligations.

Consumer Ethics

Consumer ethics involves the practice of integrating moral values within purchasing decisions. It emphasizes the idea that consumers should consider the ethical implications of their consumption choices, reflecting on both social and environmental outcomes.

• Purchases should align with ethical beliefs and values.
• The focus should be on fair trade, sustainability, and minimizing harm.
• Ethical consumers often support businesses that demonstrate responsible practices.

Labeling and transparency from companies help consumers make better ethical choices; but when this information is absent or unclear, consumers face challenges in aligning their purchases with their ethical standards. The dilemma presented in the exercise highlights this issue, questioning whether consumers can be held morally liable for harmful impacts they are unable to assess.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a systematic process that evaluates the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or action. While it is primarily a tool for policy and planning, broader understanding of its principles can empower consumers to make more informed choices.

• An EIA typically considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that a project might have on the environment.
• It provides a basis for decision-making by predicting environmental impacts and suggesting mitigation measures.
• Consumers looking to evaluate environmental impact might not have full-scale EIA resources but can look for certified labels or eco-friendly product certifications as proxies.

Generally, reliable information from assessments can guide consumer behavior toward supporting sustainable practices. The exercise underlines the difficulty that consumers face without accessible environmental impact data, questioning the feasibility of holding them morally accountable for their purchase decisions.