Today in the Wall Street Journal, there was a story about building new natural gas pipelines in Europe. The article talks about Nabucco, the main gas company in Europe. Nabucco plans to construct a 3,300 kilometer pipeline in hopes of taking over some of Russia’s gas territory which supplies most of the West. This is an $11.03 billion project that is planned to begin in 2011 if everything goes right. Apparently, the reason for this new gas pipeline is because European gas usage is going up while the production of the gas is going down. Although, rising gas usage is only an estimation ,not a fact.
The ethical issue here is whether or not the gas pipeline is necessary for the benefit of the European nations, or if it is simply to create competition among the gas companies so they can raise their prices. The article states that the global gas market has been oversupplied and will continue to be until 2015. With this fact, I find it hard to believe that the gas pipeline is necessary.
According to Locke, there are natural limits of property. He believes that one should only take what is possible to use within a timeframe. In the case of the gas supply, if it is oversupplied, then the left over gas is not being used; therefore, the excess gas is wasteful. Locke believes you should not take more than you need, so why should Nabucco build a new pipeline that will be used to make more gas than they need. This is wasteful and therefore stealing from mankind according to Locke.
In addition, this relates to Aristotle’s views about man’s obsession with money and wealth. This pipeline is only being built for business purposes to increase profits for the major gas companies. Building this pipeline is unethical and unnecessary.
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This is a valid argument. I see where you are coming from with the limits that Locke states in the reading, about spoiling. I agree that the building of this new gas pipeline would mean they are taking more than is being demanded and needed; therefore, they are letting the excess go to waste because it is not being used. I like the way you also relatd this idea to Aristotle, because this does indeed relate to the negative view of money that has been created, which Aristotle would say has been distorted and has become the end and not the means. Yes, these companies only seek profit but then again that is their sole purpose and they are not too concerned with whether they are stealing from mankind unlawfully, according to Locke. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Locke would find this type of behavior wasteful. Furthermore, I concur that it is an excuse to try and cause competition and raise profits for these companies.
ReplyDeleteThe Aristotle reference is also key, I think he would find this production non-virtuous. These companies are not exercising temperance or reciprocity and the people who lose out are the community. This is not beneficial towards the common good.
I totally agree that building that pipeline is unethical and unnecessary! This behavior is nothing but wasteful. I don't see how this pipeline will benefit the people. Locke believes that if something goes bad we are then stealing from man kind. and by building this pipeline and over supplying it then they are doing just that, they are stealing from mankind. There is no rush for this production of gas right this second so i don't see why they are in such a rush.
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