Not for Sale

Michael J. Sandel has listed things that people in the modern day can buy. There are multiple things he has listed that I have issues with. One of the things you can by is “the right to shoot an endangered black rhino for $150,000.” The two problems is that it promotes the killing of an endangered species and they profit from destroying the species. The other issue that comes up is that it doesn’t stop poachers from killing the rhinos either. It could decimate the population of the black rhino. Another thing that can be bought is “the right to emit a metric ton of carbon into the atmosphere for 13 euros.” The other problem is similar to the black rhino, it promotes pollution and the government gets a profit. I just feel that the government should focus more on fixing the environment rather than polluting it.

            However there are a few things on his list that I’m okay with. For example in New Zealand you can rent out space on your forehead for advertisement. This doesn’t bother me because it is all personal choice. A similar situation is serving as a human guinea pig in drug safety trials or fighting as private military in Somalia or Afghanistan. Those things are personal choices that each individual can make. There are also the ones that provide good incentives. Sandel lists that in underachieving schools in Dallas you can read a book for $2 or if you’re obese and loose fourteen pounds in four months you get $378. These provide good incentives for people to read and become healthier. My issue is if what is being paid for promotes bad behavior. The ones I don’t have issues with is if the choice is left up for personal choice or if it provides a good incentive.