Question

Optimal State of Pollution (Baxter)

Singer’s argument for animal rights

Answer 1

William F. Baxter in his article “People or Penguins” talks about harmful effects which the creations of humans are causing to the animals. He says that according to some scientists the extensive use of DDT in the processing of food is causing damage to the population of penguins. According to him, the problems of the environment are oriented by the people. Though he did not really want to save penguins for penguins’ sake, but for the welfare of the humans only. At times his views can be termed selfish. But he also suggested the reasons to support his argument that why we need to respect the balance of nature and how to preserve the environment. He wanted to work for the welfare of the environment in order to give benefit to man. His argument was that we need to preserve the environment as a whole and should not be confined to air or water conservation. The cost of controlling pollution can be extracted from the other goods that we have to give up. It added that all the decisions which are to be taken for the welfare of the environment should be good and should be in favor of the humans only. Baxter argued that in order to gain something, some other thing of equal value should be given in return. Through any means, it can be concluded that Baxter’s approach would lead to the situation where humans always win and nature stand on the verge of losing.