Utilitarian Approach to the Problem

¶ … utilitarian approach to the problem of overuse and dependence on foreign oil would mean that the first course of action would be to study the various options available. Those options include limiting the use of vehicles by increasing the gasoline taxes used to fuel those vehicles. There are a variety of other options open for consideration as well, however, since this paper's main concern is to address the above listed option, considering the other options is currently of little importance.

For the sake of argument, this paper will discuss just the one option, even though under true utilitarian theory, all options would be considered. Therefore, the question to be considered would be does increased gasoline taxes fit in with a utilitarian theory? The answer is; probably not. The reason it does not fit in with utilitarian theory is because it does not equate to the best possible choice benefiting the greatest amount of people. Quite the contrary would probably take place if such an option was chosen for implementation.

These effects would likely happen if the choice were made to raise gasoline taxes; the first immediate effect would be on the portion of the mobile public that is the least able to afford paying more for taxes. These are the individuals and families that have the least amount of disposable income. The price hike would have the effect of limiting their options, more than likely they would have to choose to spend more on gas in order to continue generating what little income they have.

Their choices could include spending the extra money on gas and foregoing such essentials as food and housing. The question may arise then, would they choose to not spend the money on gas, and be forced to find other ways of transportation. In a utopian society this might ring true, but in real life, other forms of transportation are unlikely to assist in their transportation problem.

The truth of the matter is that we live in a mobile society, and those individuals without the capability of being mobile are at a rather complete disadvantage to those parts of society that have the disposable income to weather such events as a raise in gas prices. Treating third world countries in that same method, would be just like limiting the choices of those lower income individuals by raising gas prices.

By restricting their access to advanced technologies (even if they are more polluting) is also limiting their capabilities to expand their research in order to find a solution to the pollution.