Utilitarian Ethical Issues Rule Utilitarianism

Utilitarian Ethical Issues Rule Utilitarianism and Non-Essential Environmental Destruction: A rule utilitarian global conservationist would oppose the proposed vacation to Sweden because it violates the rule against unnecessary contribution to the global warming problem. That rule would prohibit any recreational jet flight, precisely because that mode of transportation contributes to the global warming problem to a degree that is completely out of proportion to any conceivable need or benefit of vacationing.

The strictest rule utilitarian conservationist might oppose any use of jet-powered flight for any reason, challenging the characterization of what is truly necessary. Under that approach, the harm caused by jet-powered travel to the environment should justify a rule prohibiting it completely, regardless of the purported benefit or purpose involved.

The rule utilitarian global conservationist might allow jet travel for certain purposes such as international relief missions, diplomatic negotiations, and other important functions; but the rule utilitarian conservationist would prohibit jet travel that is exclusively for recreational purposes, international ceremonial purposes, and also for many forms of commercial purposes. The underlying reasoning of the rule utilitarian would be that global warming is a legitimate and ever-increasing threat to human life, animal life, and the health to the entire planetary ecosystem.

Therefore, every effort must be made toward conservation of resources and toward reducing unnecessary carbon emissions. The propose vacation to Sweden would violate that rule. Act Utilitarianism and Non-Essential Environmental Destruction: An act utilitarian global conservationist might also oppose the proposed unnecessary contribution to global warming on the basis of the same underlying principle or concern as the rule utilitarian conservationist.

However, whereas the strict rule utilitarian global conservationist would prohibit jet travel completely, the act utilitarian would certainly consider the corresponding purpose or value of any use of jet power. The act utilitarian would weigh the respective concerns and determine whether or not the proposed benefit or the total amount of "good" associated with the act outweighs the admitted cost in additional damage to the global environment.

That analysis could apply to individual acts (such as with respect to the specific purpose of each proposed flight); or it could apply more generally, (such as with respect to the type of travel). Under that analysis, purely recreational travel might be prohibited, but certain kinds of commercial travel might be permissible because they are considered beneficial to the human community (such as fast mail delivery service). The Ethical Issues Associated with Contemporary Global Warming and Conservation: Some form of flexible act utilitarianism would be.