Portfolio Assignment
SUS1501 – Sustainability and Greed
Student Number:68233973
Date: 15/07/2021
Teaching Assistant Name:
Declaration:
By submitting this portfolio, I implicitly declare that this is my own work except for the
“Introduction” which was kindly written for me by my lecturer.
I am aware that if ANY unacknowledged copying is detected in ANY answer, I will get 0 (zero)
for the entire assignment.
Introduction
My aim in compiling this portfolio was to reflect on the things that have struck me throughout
this crazy module.
My starting point for doing this was to revisit my opinions to the multiple choice questions
which were presented in the Crossroads assignment. I present these current opinions, together
with my original opinions, and some brief notes in the section entitled: “Back at the
Crossroads!”
Once I have done this, I draw some key conclusions about this crazy module and about the
things that did indeed strike me.
Back at the Crossroads!
1. “Greed is good” My personal opinion of what should be done, is most closely described by:
a. It’s not good or bad. It’s just how things are.
b. Absolutely! If it wasn’t for greed we would never achieve anything.
c. I’m not sure. Sometimes I think that it’s good. At other times I think that it’s bad.
, d. It depends on how you define “greed”.
e. Absolutely not! Greed is bad. It leads to much pain and suffering.
Choice now: E greed is not good it lead to suffering in the long run
Choice in assignment 1: E greed is not good it lead to suffering in the long run
Notes:
Therefore greed is definitely bad .It was indicated in our assignment ,that you needs to treat others
how you needs to treat you Kant would have disagreed with Gekko saying greed is good.
Greed is defined as a selfish desire for something for example food, power or wealth while self-interest
is thinking of rewards for yourself without thinking of the effect it will have on others. Self-interest is
what gets us up for work in the morning, and to better ourselves.
2. “If arctic ice melting continues, we are likely to see the loss of two thirds of the world's polar bear
population within 50 years.” My personal opinion on this statement is most closely described by:
a. Who cares?
b. If it boils down to choosing between driving a luxury SUV and worrying about polar bears I’ll
take the car any day.
c. While this is sad, polar bears aren’t really very important to my personal welfare which is my
primary concern.
d. While this is sad, polar bears aren’t really very important to general human social welfare.
e. I don’t think polar bears are all that important to human welfare. However, their plight is a
symptom of climate change which is a big problem to future human welfare.
f. I think it is morally unacceptable for humans to put their interests ahead of the rights of
other species like polar bears.
Choice now: e. I don’t think polar bears are all that important to human welfare. However, their plight is
a symptom of climate change which is a big problem to future human welfare.
Choice in assignment 1: f. I think it is morally unacceptable for humans to put their interests ahead of
the rights of other species like polar bears.
Notes:
Polar bears are at the top of the food chain in the Arctic. If polar bears go extinct the population of seals
and walruses and whatever other animals bears hunt will increase even though some might argue that
the whales would probably keep the seal population from increasing too much. Some of the animals
like the Arctic fox lives of scraps of food that the bears leave behind. I could not find any information
indicating that something really drastic would happen if they are extinct, however, I do think that we
should try to save them. I am also constantly reminded that as indicated by utilitarianism, we should
focus on what is right and on the happiness of others. We should focus on at least trying to save them.
SUS1501 – Sustainability and Greed
Student Number:68233973
Date: 15/07/2021
Teaching Assistant Name:
Declaration:
By submitting this portfolio, I implicitly declare that this is my own work except for the
“Introduction” which was kindly written for me by my lecturer.
I am aware that if ANY unacknowledged copying is detected in ANY answer, I will get 0 (zero)
for the entire assignment.
Introduction
My aim in compiling this portfolio was to reflect on the things that have struck me throughout
this crazy module.
My starting point for doing this was to revisit my opinions to the multiple choice questions
which were presented in the Crossroads assignment. I present these current opinions, together
with my original opinions, and some brief notes in the section entitled: “Back at the
Crossroads!”
Once I have done this, I draw some key conclusions about this crazy module and about the
things that did indeed strike me.
Back at the Crossroads!
1. “Greed is good” My personal opinion of what should be done, is most closely described by:
a. It’s not good or bad. It’s just how things are.
b. Absolutely! If it wasn’t for greed we would never achieve anything.
c. I’m not sure. Sometimes I think that it’s good. At other times I think that it’s bad.
, d. It depends on how you define “greed”.
e. Absolutely not! Greed is bad. It leads to much pain and suffering.
Choice now: E greed is not good it lead to suffering in the long run
Choice in assignment 1: E greed is not good it lead to suffering in the long run
Notes:
Therefore greed is definitely bad .It was indicated in our assignment ,that you needs to treat others
how you needs to treat you Kant would have disagreed with Gekko saying greed is good.
Greed is defined as a selfish desire for something for example food, power or wealth while self-interest
is thinking of rewards for yourself without thinking of the effect it will have on others. Self-interest is
what gets us up for work in the morning, and to better ourselves.
2. “If arctic ice melting continues, we are likely to see the loss of two thirds of the world's polar bear
population within 50 years.” My personal opinion on this statement is most closely described by:
a. Who cares?
b. If it boils down to choosing between driving a luxury SUV and worrying about polar bears I’ll
take the car any day.
c. While this is sad, polar bears aren’t really very important to my personal welfare which is my
primary concern.
d. While this is sad, polar bears aren’t really very important to general human social welfare.
e. I don’t think polar bears are all that important to human welfare. However, their plight is a
symptom of climate change which is a big problem to future human welfare.
f. I think it is morally unacceptable for humans to put their interests ahead of the rights of
other species like polar bears.
Choice now: e. I don’t think polar bears are all that important to human welfare. However, their plight is
a symptom of climate change which is a big problem to future human welfare.
Choice in assignment 1: f. I think it is morally unacceptable for humans to put their interests ahead of
the rights of other species like polar bears.
Notes:
Polar bears are at the top of the food chain in the Arctic. If polar bears go extinct the population of seals
and walruses and whatever other animals bears hunt will increase even though some might argue that
the whales would probably keep the seal population from increasing too much. Some of the animals
like the Arctic fox lives of scraps of food that the bears leave behind. I could not find any information
indicating that something really drastic would happen if they are extinct, however, I do think that we
should try to save them. I am also constantly reminded that as indicated by utilitarianism, we should
focus on what is right and on the happiness of others. We should focus on at least trying to save them.
