Question 1
Traditional utilitarianism was developed by John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham, and it states that an action is right if it causes happiness and wrong it causes unhappiness or the reverse of happiness ( Green, 2009) . There are various considerations in traditional utilitarianism. One, they hold hedonistic views of good. They believe that utility, pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction of desires are the ultimate good things and that any action that causes pain is bad. Two, they have consequentialist opinions of wrong and right. They believe that the right policy or action is the decision or action that has better overall outcomes than the other alternatives. Three, they have tendencies towards esotericism. Some utilitarianisms believe that utilitarianism as a view that can only be safely known by the elite. Also, if unwashed masses believed in utilitarianism, they would act worse after accepting utilitarianism than when they have a false belief in morality. The third consideration is widely discussed by philosopher Sidgwick ( Green, 2009) . Four, they believe that people can compare intrinsic values of two choices using the hedonic calculus by summing up the units of pain and units of pleasure of all people affected by the action.
Question 2
Utilitarianism is attractive to many people due to various reasons. One, utilitarianism does not only focus on the individual, fellow citizens, family, or friends but also about distant strangers ( Green, 2009) . It encourages people to act in a way that promotes the overall good. Two, it is a straightforward and clear ethical position. Everyone agrees that people prefer being happier and less sad. Hence, most people are utilitarians because they have moral values that one should not break. The moral rules guide people towards the best consequences. Three, utilitarianism changes people’s lives in various ways because it supports effective altruism ( Green, 2009) . Altruism focuses on being selfless and focusing on the overall wellbeing of other people. Such beliefs have encouraged many philanthropists worldwide.
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Question 3
Ecological ethics is a study of how humans ought to do and value in their relationships with other elements and beings in earth’s biosphere ( Newton, 2011) . In normative ethics, ecological ethics involves particular standards and norms of conduct and character that contribute to the wellbeing of every human and other life forms. Ecological ethics are influenced by global environmental problems. The main issues in ecological ethics include human-induced ecological degradation, losses in biodiversity, pollution, climate change, the environmental impact of genetic manipulation, sources of energy, and human population growth ( Newton, 2011) . Humans have a significant impact on the environment, and ecological ethics is grounded in human consciousness regarding the interdependence of all elements and beings in the environment. Pollution or degradation in one part of the world may affect other being several miles away. Some researchers insist that humans are ecological animals in addition to being a social animal.
Question 4
Utilitarianism supports ecological ethics because they both have consequentialist and hedonistic views. While utilitarians insist that the right policy or action is the decision or action that has better overall outcomes than the other alternatives, ecological ethics encourages humans to act in a way that would promote the ultimate good of all elements and beings in the environment. Also, utilitarians believe that utility, pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction of desires are the ultimate good things and that any action that causes pain is bad while ecological ethics states all actions that have adverse effects on other elements and beings in the environment are bad, and those that have a positive environmental impact are good. Furthermore, ecological ethics explains that humans should act in a way that promotes the survival of other beings and elements in the environment ( Newton, 2011) . Similar to utilitarianism, ecological ethics focuses on the collective good of all elements and beings instead of focusing on an individual.
Question 5
Part A
The dominant technological use poses significant ethical consequences that have adversely affected the well-being of farm animals, human beings, and the planet. Furthermore, technology has concealed the nature of some animals and transformed them into products. Such activities have prevented humans from growing and developing essential virtues and skills from their existence in the world. Humans have developed a distorted view regarding domestic or farmed animals associated with the technological and institutional commodification (Anthony, 2012). Some animals are reared in cages while some are fed with various chemicals to boost growth. The commodification of farmed animals has produced uniformity, alienation, and proprietorship that dilutes the importance of animal welfare. Although technology has boosted farm production, it has caused a significant imbalance that humans have generally shared with food animals and agriculture.
Agricultural technologies shape and reflect a person’s moral character. It can make people worse or better consumers. How humans use technology reveals their true nature. Instead of forming a sustainable relationship with agriculture and farm animals, most people focus on beating it into submission. According to utilitarianism, an action is bad if it causes pain and suffering and good if it causes happiness ( Green, 2009) . Moreover, the greatest happiness comes from maximizing utility. Unethical use of technology has adverse effects on the planet, humans, animals, and plants. Therefore, inappropriate use of technology is bad and unethical. Humans should evaluate the consequences of their action on food animals and agriculture in the long term instead of focusing on the short-term goals of food sustainability (Anthony, 2012). Humans would have a better chance of survival if they accommodated themselves in the environment instead of dictating and ignoring the outcome of their actions on agriculture, farm animals, and other humans.
Part B
Humans should have an environmental virtue of ethics. Environmental ethics is s significant factors that determine human relationships and interactions with food, agriculture, and farmed animals. Virtuous people should care and respond to farmed animals needs instead of perceiving them as mere goods or commodities. Humans should be attentive to animal welfare, responsible by minimizing adverse environmental effects, competent and aware of their role in the environment, and responsive by understanding the interdependency and vulnerability of beings in the environment (Anthony, 2012). Environmental virtue of ethics is important because it promoted humane and sustainable food production activities. It will allow humans to approach food production in more meaningful ways. Also, it will allow humans to evaluate their impact on the environment and how various technologies are oppressive of other animals in the environment.
Notably, it will allow humans to identify and realize how technology affects human behavior in a manner that conceals human moral subjectivity and responsibilities. Furthermore, it will encourage better direct public participation of all stakeholders in the food system (Anthony, 2012). Additionally, more people will consider the social and ethical impact of their decisions such as purchasing animal products. Also, such consumers will act according to the information and purchase animal-friendly products. People will not only purchase goods according to their financial power but also the social and environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. Moreover, attentive consumers will avoid or boycott goods that cause injustice and suffering of farm animals. Attentive consumers can form a collective voice that creates meaning through choice and reflects their virtue ethics (Anthony, 2012). Primarily, attentive consumers will evaluate the consequences of their purchasing decisions on farm animals and the environment. In being responsive, consumers will analyze and understand how they contribute to the plight of farm animals and the market economy.
References
Anthony, R. (2012). Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Agriculture an Environmental Virtue Ethic of Care Approach within the Philosophy of Technology Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics , 25.2, 123-144.
Green, M. (2009). Classical utilitarianism. Retrieved from http://carneades.pomona.edu/2009-SPP/nts-0330.shtml
Newton, M. (2011). Ecological Ethics. Retrieved from https://theecologist.org/2011/nov/11/ecological-ethics
