Optimal Pollution and Its Long-Term Ethical Issues
Environmental Ethics

        The purpose of this paper is to understand William Baxter’s perspectives of optimal pollution from an ecofeminist perspective and to propose ways in which Baxter’s arguments could be altered to be more inclusive of minority communities. Ecofeminist philosophy can be described as the convergence between feminism, the development of nature, science, and technology, and the inclusion of indigenous and local community perspectives (Warren 44). In times when important decisions need to be made, minority groups are often left out of the conversation which makes it difficult to retain power and make productive and beneficial changes.

        Ecofeminist philosophy takes into consideration the logic of domination and oppression which work to distinguish the ways that human groups and the natural world are simultaneously oppressed or dominated by those of a “higher status”, primarily masculine people (Warren 54). Ecofeminist philosophy attempts to bring these groups into conversations and assert their importance in places where they may be forgotten or ignored to create a more cohesive and equitable society.

        Throughout this piece, I argue against the use of William Baxter’s optimal pollution because of the lack of ethical consideration given to minority groups and groups with less of a voice on the matter. I am not the most pleased with the way that Baxter approaches environmentalism and pollution. I do not agree with his arguments that it is useless to strive for pure and clean air and water, instead, we should find a healthy level of pollution that is able to sustain human life for the most part. People that are impacted by water crises or feel unsafe in their own communities because of the environmental harm done, I would argue, are striving for clean air, water, or other natural resources. Through this paper, I delve further into the issues of optimal position while tying in ecofeminist philosophy.