ETH111A Assignment

The ethical aspects that I can identify in this conversation are environmental sustainability
and practicality.

Both Gyan and Vidyant agree that we should not pollute our environment, which is why they
try searching for a dustbin inside the train. On not finding a dustbin inside the train coach,
they try to see if there's one available in the other coach. On not finding the dustbin in both
places, Gyan throws the litter on the rubbish pile. Vidyant tries to tell him that it is wrong to
throw garbage in public places. Still, Gyan replies that it wouldn't be practical to continue
searching for the dustbin and risk missing their train and laptops over some small amount of
waste, which any waste collector who cleans the station could clean. Vidyant argues that it is
not right to do such a thing and advises to find a middle way and not consider extreme
choices, but Gyan replies, "Right is what society does and tolerates".

Vidyant's arguments are mainly based on the utilitarian approach, which is a consequentialist
ideology. Utilitarianism is an ethical ideology that prioritizes actions that promote the well-
being of most people (Mill,1998). He needs to consider the practicality of the situation.

From this conversation, it appears that Gyan is careless and does not think about the
consequences of his actions. He is also trying to shift his responsibility to others, such as the
waste collector for cleaning up his own waste. I would try to make him more aware of the
possible implications of his actions. I would tell him that a polluted environment can
encourage the spread of diseases. Toxic chemicals and disease-causing microorganisms in the
trash may also contaminate water systems and spread water-borne diseases, which can
negatively affect the health of both animals and humans if unclean or untreated water is
consumed. So, I would urge him not to carelessly throw his waste just about anywhere and
dispose of it properly in designated bins.

We should consider the social and environmental impact of our waste habits. I would say to
him that it contributes to climate change and affects underprivileged communities the most
(The Vanella group, 2023). We should strive towards a more sustainable future. I would also
try to explain to him that society accepting something doesn't make it right. We should be the
change we wish to see in the society. We can only progress as a society when everyone takes
accountability for their actions and doesn't try to shift the responsibility on others.

I would agree with Gyan in the sense that we should think about a solution practically. As
Aristotle said, "Virtue makes the goal right, practical wisdom the things leading to it. (Kraut,
Richard,2022)" also, with Vidyant, we should try to find a middle way. I would suggest to
both that we should hold on to the waste, and when we reach our destination, we can properly
dispose of the trash in a suitable location.

Krishna Agrawal
Roll no. 230574
Electrical Engineering
 References
1. The Vanella Group 2023, The Ethics of Waste: Examining Our Responsibility to the
Planet, <https://www.vanellagroupmn.com/the-ethics-of-waste-examining-our-
responsibility-to-the-planet>
2. Kraut, Richard, "Aristotle's Ethics", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall
2022 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), <
https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2022/entries/aristotle-ethics/>
3. Utilitarianism, (2023, October 26), In Wikipedia, <
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism>(Mill, 1998) (Mill, 1998)