Week 5 Flashcards
(13 cards)
Consequentialist view on lying
👉 Lying is wrong if it causes more harm than good.
✅ Can be okay if truth would cause more damage (e.g., white lies).
Deontological view on lying (Kant)
👉 Lying is always wrong, no matter the consequences.
💬 Even lying to an axe murderer is immoral.
Bovens’ view on lying
👉 Lying may be justified in extreme cases (e.g., resisting injustice).
🚫 VW’s case (Dieselgate) is unjustified because it showed immoral intent.
What is CBA?
👉 A way of weighing the costs vs benefits of a policy or action.
What is Kaldor-Hicks efficiency?
👉 A policy is good if winners could compensate losers, even if they don’t.
Objection to Kaldor-Hicks (Anderson)
❌ It ignores how benefits and costs are distributed.
❌ Doesn’t require actual compensation.
Problem with CBA in business (e.g., VW/Ford)
👉 Companies may ignore harm to people if the cost of fixing the issue is higher than the “value” of lives lost.
VW Emissions Scandal
⚠️ VW cheated emissions tests.
❓ Was the harm the deception or the environmental damage?
What does Schmidtz say about CBA?
✔️ Useful tool but not enough alone.
🔍 Must consider:
Distribution of gains/losses
Rights and fairness
Unknown or non-monetary values
What is Willingness to Pay?
💰 The value someone says they’re willing to pay for something (e.g., clean air, safety).
Objection to WTP (Anderson)
❌ Favors the rich — richer people’s preferences matter more.
❌ Ignores values that are shared or priceless.
Kelman’s Point on Pricing
💔 Putting a price on something can reduce its value — removes the ability to say “this is not for sale.”
Why is CBA controversial?
Focuses on efficiency, not fairness
Struggles with valuing life, dignity, or the environment
Can ignore rights and distribution of harm
