Society, Technology and Engineering Ethics

Ethics, Ethical Consumption, Responsible consumption and how do you

make sure responsible consumption
 Ethics
• The word “Ethics” originates from the Greek word “ethos” meaning
“character”
• Ethics are a set of rules or principles that are generally considered as
standards or good and bad or right and wrong, which are usually
imposed by an external group or a society or a profession or so.
• Rushworth Kidder states ethics as ‘the science of the ideal human
character’ or ‘the science of moral duty.’
• Richard William Paul and Linda Elder define ethics as “a set of
concepts and principles that guide us in determining what behavior
helps or harms sentient creatures”
 Ethical Consumption
• While consuming, we have to consider three principles.

Affordability Necessity Convenient

Lack of affordability, necessity and

convenient can lead toward unethical
consumption
 Responsible
consumption
Responsible consumption is a way of consumption that takes into
account the foundations of sustainable development. This is a way of
consuming that is beneficial considering 3 different cornerstones
First, it benefits the economy
Secondly, it has a positive impact on society
Thirdly, responsible consumption acknowledges the impacts
associated with products’ different stages (from its production,
transportation, and disposal).
How do you make sure responsible consumption?

Don’t waste food:

One of the common features of the high mass consumer
society is that people are wasting food in a huge number.
According to the report of UNDP, 1.3 billion tons food are being
wasted every year where 2 billion people are living hunger.
So, to make sure the responsible consumption, you must not
waste food while consuming.
 Consider the Environmental impacts

While consuming, we should bear in mind that our consumption or

consumer goods do not hamper the environment and society. Food sector
account for around 22% of total greenhouse gas emission due to
conversion of forest into farmland according to UNDP.
Don’t waste energy:
During consumption we should not waste energy after use.
UNDP says, if we use energy effectively, 120 billion US$ will
be saved.
Don’t waste water:
Water is the most important natural resource. In the sum of
the total water, less than 3% water is clean drinkable water.
More than 1 billion people don’t have access to the clean
drinking water. So, we should be responsible while using
water.
Consider the health concern:
While buying or purchasing any goods or products, we should consider the health issues
related to the products.

Check the credential before you buy:

You should check while purchasing a goods or product that “Is the product certified or
not by concern authorities?”

Consider the necessity of the goods:

Before buying a product, first think yourself, “do you really need it? If you don’t need it,
someone may need it.”
• You expect to get what you pay for
• Avoid overconsumption
About 2 billion people all over the world are living with overweight.
• Avoid less consumption; less consumption can be caused for malnutrition.
• Consider affordability, necessity and convenient of the products you are
supposed to consume
• Make sure that your consumption is fair, ethical and responsible

Thank you