The Consumption of Plastic and Environmental Ethical Conundrum
The consumption of tons of plastic through the use of bottled water, which would take a long time to biodegrade, presents a significant environmental ethical conundrum to modern society. (Novotny, et al., 2010). Despite these circumstances, bottled water has a number of environmental and societal problems that start with packaging and extend to transportation and even the distribution of the finished goods.
Kant's Ethical Philosophy and Moral Obligations
According to Kant's ethical philosophy, it should be assumed that everyone has a moral obligation to protect the ecosystem. The individual and various elements of moral delivery and measurement are the primary emphasis. (Novotny, et al., 2010). Water should not fundamentally be considered as a human right but also an association present intrinsically for fundamental civil actions such as right to food, right to health and additional notions. Using his explanations, it can be deduced that the extraction of water causes limitations or barriers to water supply in regions where water is needed in a significant manner (including local population). Also, PET is a method most commonly used for the packaging of bottled waters, which is a derivative of crude oil (Novotny, et al., 2010). There is a negative energy being utilized for the formation and breakdown of the products which ultimately results in a requirement of personal and administrative responsibility (Novotny, et al., 2010). According to the 'goodwill and duty' component of Kant's ethics, there can be some suitable laws derived to monitor proper production of water on a commercial scale along with the supply to domestic population. Similarly, reasonable actions can mediate the packaging method to derive constructive environmental impacts.
Consequentialist Theories and Unsustainable Business
Consequentialist theories can also be implemented to bottled water companies that bring about the ultimate unsustainable business completely for gaining profits and additional monetary advantages (Reimann, Birke, & Filzmoser, 2010). Applying egoism to the ethical dilemma, it is to be analyzed if the CEOs of such companies pursue their needs freely owing to their desires and interests. There are some cases in which the shareholders of the organization are involved with the process knowing the drawbacks; their own long-term interests are more important instead of thinking about the community (Reimann, Birke, & Filzmoser, 2010). The concept of utilitarianism provides guidance regarding the dilemma as well. Focusing completely on the results of a mechanism, the process identifies that the people involved in the process can identify the good and bad effects of bottled waters (Reimann, Birke, & Filzmoser, 2010). It is easier to identify the morally honest decision with the identification of pain or harm that comes in the end.
Kant's Perspective and Environmental Solutions
The resolution of Kant relating accountability and individual moral responsibility is of preferred choice. The process clearly indicates the problem about manufacturing and dispersion of bottled water across the globe. With the virtues and theoretical components it identifies the essential perspective of the ethical dilemma (Reimann, Birke, & Filzmoser, 2010). It provides a dynamic understanding of the situation that will further project the environmental solutions. Applying the categorical imperative, there can be different duties assigned for the fulfilment of environmental outcome and its betterment. These regularities are morally supportive because they are relying on specific reasoning, instead of mere contingent ideas of understanding. Unlike hypothetical considerations, this theoretical knowledge estimates rational judgments of the necessary actions. Therefore, appropriate principles are identified as an end outcome.
References
Novotny, V., Ahern, J., & Brown, P. (2010). Water centric sustainable communities: planning, retrofitting and building the next urban environment. John Wiley & Sons.
Reimann, C., Birke, M., & Filzmoser, P. (2010). Bottled drinking water: water contamination from bottle materials (glass, hard PET, soft PET), the influence of colour and acidification. Applied Geochemistry, 25(7), 1030-1046.
