Today, many environmental questions are raised to understand the worth of human contributions and the quality of interactions with nature. In the chapter “People or Penguins,” William Baxter underlines the necessity to analyze environmental issues as human-centered and cost-effective. The author admits that he does not find it necessary to preserve penguins for their own sake but observe the environment from the people’s perspective (Baxter, 2019). His goal is to solve as many environmental problems as possible, and identifying an optimal state of pollution is the first step (Baxter, 2019). In addition to clearly defined criteria for reasonable judgments, this chapter shares a strong background on preserving clean water and air for people, not nature.
Before discussing the ethical connection between humans and the environment, there are four main criteria for the reader to consider. One of Baxter’s statements is that every individual is free to do whatever is wanted within the no-interference context. Second, it is important to consider waste as something bad but integral in human existence. The third recommendation is to treat a human as an end, not a means for improvement (Baxter, 2019). Finally, the preservation of incentives must be supported to maintain motivation and interest in doing something. People get a chance to set priorities and investigate the environment for personal benefits. The author’s idea is to show that it is normal for society not to preserve the environment or keep a natural balance but promote a wise usage of available resources.
There are many interesting and provocative ideas introduced in this chapter. Instead of relying on a fascination with the natural world, people have to observe what they can or cannot do to obtain an optimal pollution state. The cost has already been set, and the next decision is up to humans to clarify their roles in protecting the environment, supporting their own needs, and thinking about the future, not in terms of clean water or fresh air but overall human satisfaction.
Reference
Baxter, W. F. (2019). People or penguins. In L. Vaughn (Ed.), Doing ethics: Moral reasoning, theory, and contemporary issues (5th ed., pp. 442-446). W. W. Norton & Company.