Question

In North Florida, there are concerns that groundwater withdrawals to meet regional water use demands are negatively affecting the volume of water available for natural spring systems, considered a unique and significant regional environmental resource. This complex situation creates a significant ethical dilemma. Common ethical theories were discussed in the textbook readings and outlined in the lectures. Select the pair of theories that would best apply to this ethical dilemma: Group of answer choices

Answer 1

This question is incomplete because the options are missing, here is the complete question:

In North Florida, there are concerns that groundwater withdrawals to meet regional water use demands are negatively affecting the volume of water available for natural spring systems, considered a unique and significant regional environmental resource. This complex situation creates a significant ethical dilemma. Common ethical theories were discussed in the textbook readings and outlined in the lectures. Select the pair of theories that would best apply to this ethical dilemma:

Utilitarianism approach and common good approach

Utilitarianism approach and rights approach

Fairness/justice approach and virtue approach

Rights approach and virtue approach

The correct answer is the Utilitarism approach and common good approach

Explanation:

Both utilitarianism and the common good approach focus on the ethical aspects of actions. In the case of the first approach, this emphasizes the consequences of an action by analyzing the benefits or harm related to this. This approach is effective in this ethical dilemma because it is necessary to consider both the benefits for humans that will obtain fresh water and the harm in the natural ecosystem.

On the other hand, the common good approach states any individual good including access to water is linked to the general good. In the ethical dilemma presented this implies the use of water for human society is not ethical except if it leads to a general good, which includes access to water for other species living in natural ecosystems. According to this, these two approaches or theories are the most appropriate for this dilemma.