1. Cost Benefit Analysis: An Ethical Critique by Steven Kelman:
a. Summary: in this article the author critiques cost-benefit analysis and advocates against its use in environmental, safety, and health regulation decision making. The author begins by pointing out the similarities between cost-benefit analysis and utilitarianism. Utilitarianism’s goal is to maximize the greater good, but it has also been the subject of scrutiny. The article examined cost-benefit analysis and concluded that there will be situations where a decision will be right even though the benefit will not out way the cost, there will also be situations where is it best not to put a dollar value on non-marketed goods, and that it is not justifiable to utilize resources for …show more content…
Summary: the article defends cost-benefit analysis as a practical method for public decision making. The authors specifically discuss the following critiques: compensation and hypothetical consent, attention to distribution, sensitive social values, measurability, and analyzing risks. The critique of compensation and hypothetical consent is countered by the statements that it is smaller problem in practice and that compensation is often overpaid. It is also stated that equity can be built into cost-benefit analysis, social values can be treated as additional considerations, cost-benefit analysis measures things in a nonpolitical manner, and is beneficial to analyzing risks. Therefore, the article states that its largest weakness is that is cannot accurately measure social values, but it still the best option for public debate and subsequent public decision …show more content…
Summary: the article discusses the negative and positive impacts mosquitos have on the environment, as well as what would happen if mosquitos ceased to exist. Mosquitos are infamous for carrying a number of diseases such as yellow fever, dengue fever, and West Nile virus. However, the article points out that mosquitos are an important food source to migratory birds in the Artic, an important food source for fish, insects, salamanders, lizards, and frogs in water pools, they consume nutrients in pitcher plants (which makes nitrogen readily available to the plant), and pollinate plants. Thus, the author points out that scientists are unsure about what would truly happen if they just
a. Summary: in this article the author critiques cost-benefit analysis and advocates against its use in environmental, safety, and health regulation decision making. The author begins by pointing out the similarities between cost-benefit analysis and utilitarianism. Utilitarianism’s goal is to maximize the greater good, but it has also been the subject of scrutiny. The article examined cost-benefit analysis and concluded that there will be situations where a decision will be right even though the benefit will not out way the cost, there will also be situations where is it best not to put a dollar value on non-marketed goods, and that it is not justifiable to utilize resources for …show more content…
Summary: the article defends cost-benefit analysis as a practical method for public decision making. The authors specifically discuss the following critiques: compensation and hypothetical consent, attention to distribution, sensitive social values, measurability, and analyzing risks. The critique of compensation and hypothetical consent is countered by the statements that it is smaller problem in practice and that compensation is often overpaid. It is also stated that equity can be built into cost-benefit analysis, social values can be treated as additional considerations, cost-benefit analysis measures things in a nonpolitical manner, and is beneficial to analyzing risks. Therefore, the article states that its largest weakness is that is cannot accurately measure social values, but it still the best option for public debate and subsequent public decision …show more content…
Summary: the article discusses the negative and positive impacts mosquitos have on the environment, as well as what would happen if mosquitos ceased to exist. Mosquitos are infamous for carrying a number of diseases such as yellow fever, dengue fever, and West Nile virus. However, the article points out that mosquitos are an important food source to migratory birds in the Artic, an important food source for fish, insects, salamanders, lizards, and frogs in water pools, they consume nutrients in pitcher plants (which makes nitrogen readily available to the plant), and pollinate plants. Thus, the author points out that scientists are unsure about what would truly happen if they just