Commitment to Safety: Chapter 5 Summary

What is the concept of the 'Tragedy of the Commons' primarily concerned with?

The benefits of philanthropy in the marketplace
The importance of internalizing costs in market mechanisms
The role of human-centered ethics in sustainable development
The unintended harmful effects of economic activities on public goods (correct)

What is the main goal of sustainable development?

To strengthen defenses against natural disasters
To maximize profits in the marketplace
To meet the needs of the present without compromising the future (correct)
To promote human-centered ethics

What is an example of internalizing costs in market mechanisms?

Building special-purpose defensive structures
Conducting awareness campaigns for natural disasters
Factoring in the cost of pollution in product prices (correct)
Providing jobs and wealth through self-interest

What is the primary focus of human-centered ethics?

The promotion of human interest and well-being (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a defensive measure to prevent natural disasters?

Strengthening lifelines for essential utilities (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of the 'Invisible Hand' metaphor?

Providing quality products at lower cost and creating jobs (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does William W. Lowrance define as a thing being safe?

If its risks are judged to be acceptable (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to William D. Rowe, what is risk?

The potential for the realization of unwanted consequences from impending events (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the factors that affects the acceptability of risk?

The effects of knowledge on how the probabilities of harm are known or perceived (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the four criteria to ensure that engineers produce safe designs?

Comply with applicable laws and regulations (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between 'safety' and 'free of risk'?

Safety is the acceptable risk, while free of risk means no risk is present (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the measures to minimize the risks associated with potential misuses of a product by the consumer?

Attempting to foresee potential misuses and designing to minimize the risks (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of technology transfer?

Moving technology to a novel setting and implementing it (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption in determining if a product is safe?

Exact knowledge of actual capability and actual duty (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two components of technology according to the passage?

Hardware and techniques (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge in performing a risk-benefit analysis?

Assigning appropriate dollar amounts to risks and benefits (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of designing a safe product?

To ensure the product fails safely (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following entities is NOT mentioned as a potential agent of technology transfer?

Non-profit organizations (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of appropriate technology?

Identifying the most suitable technology for a new set of conditions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of environmental ethics?

The study of moral issues concerning the environment (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical approach argues that moral judgments should be made in relation to factors that vary from situation to situation?

Ethical Relationalism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of ignoring environmental challenges?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criticism of Ethical Absolutism?

It is too rigid (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consideration in designing a safe exit from a product?

The user's ability to safely escape the product (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument of Ethical Pluralism?

Morally permissible variations exist in formulating moral principles. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a human right according to the text?

The right to minimal healthcare. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of foreign customs in determining moral action?

They are relevant but not decisive. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the common thread among the listed human rights?

They are all related to personal freedom. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying principle of Relationalism or Contextualism?

Moral principles vary depending on the situation. (A) Signup and view all the answers