PHIL 51—Scientific Reasoning
Week 9
Ramsey’s neoclassical model of economic growth.
Be able to explain the basics of the model
Be able to explain how it relates to the question of discounting
Be able to explain why some have criticized the model for being too simplistic criticisms of the model
Why some people say the choice of discount rate is about efficiency rather than ethics
Davidson’s response and argument about why it is indeed a matter of ethics
The descriptive and prescriptive approaches to setting the discount rate
What the two different approaches are
Arguments for and against each one
Welfarist consequentialism. What it is, and the following subvarieties:
Utilitarianism. What it is, what it says about discounting, criticisms of this approach
Agent-relative ethics. What it is, what it says about discounting, criticisms of this approach
Prioritarianism, sufficientarianism, and the difference principle. What they are, what they say about discounting, criticisms of these approaches
Deontology.What it is, what itsys about discounting, and criticisms of this approach
The net-zero policy goal.
What it is
Why some worry that these ambiguities encourage us to procrastinate in important climate action
The four ambiguities Armstrong and McClaren discuss, and why each one is important
Timing.
Cumulative emissions.
Residual emissions.
Distribution of side effects.
Which versions of net zero Armstrong and McClaren think are the most just, and why
Which versions of net zero Armstrong and McClaren think are the least just, and why
The major questions that would still arise even if we met the net-zero target, and what is important about them
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