Post by EB on May 7, 2019 15:25:11 GMT
Who has the greater responsibility for harms produced? Such as environmental costs of production and use? Or would you say that they have equal responsibility?
I lean towards saying corporations have the greater responsibility. While true that if consumers boycotted a company or an item it would no longer be produced, I don't think companies are justified in producing products knowing there would be harmful impacts simply because there is a demand for them. Other than that, while it's easy to say that consumers should educate themselves and make good choices, I don't think we should have such expectations from them considering the state that most consumers are in, that is overworked, tired, and poorly educated to begin with. Even if one wants to, it can be difficult finding suitable alternatives. Further, I don't think we should be treating consumers as the ones solely creating the demand. Due to the state that many are in, consumers are vulnerable to influences that can create the desire for a product in the first place, or make something seem more like a need than a want. The meat industry is a good example of this, where not only corporations but government as well, teaches or has taught that meat and animal products are essential for good health, and there is a lack of education on plant based diets. This along with being tired and having limited free time, can make it difficult for people to reliably consider alternatives. Corporations on the other hand hire people to think about various problems that can arise from their products. These people have the time, energy, and resources to know the potential harms.
I lean towards saying corporations have the greater responsibility. While true that if consumers boycotted a company or an item it would no longer be produced, I don't think companies are justified in producing products knowing there would be harmful impacts simply because there is a demand for them. Other than that, while it's easy to say that consumers should educate themselves and make good choices, I don't think we should have such expectations from them considering the state that most consumers are in, that is overworked, tired, and poorly educated to begin with. Even if one wants to, it can be difficult finding suitable alternatives. Further, I don't think we should be treating consumers as the ones solely creating the demand. Due to the state that many are in, consumers are vulnerable to influences that can create the desire for a product in the first place, or make something seem more like a need than a want. The meat industry is a good example of this, where not only corporations but government as well, teaches or has taught that meat and animal products are essential for good health, and there is a lack of education on plant based diets. This along with being tired and having limited free time, can make it difficult for people to reliably consider alternatives. Corporations on the other hand hire people to think about various problems that can arise from their products. These people have the time, energy, and resources to know the potential harms.
