Kian Mintz-Woo is a moral philosopher; his work focuses on the applied ethics in climate change and health but also includes topics in metaethics and moral methodology. He is currently a lecturer at Princeton University and will join University College Cork in 2020.
What are you working on right now?
Climate ethicists usually think of the costs of climate change as a global net cost and they often appeal to (some combination of) three principles in distributing that global cost: the polluter pays principle, the beneficiary pays principle, and the ability to pay principle. In a paper that I am co-authoring with the economist Justin Leroux, we argue that climate change should be thought of very differently: it is a set of actions with a mix of unpriced effects (“externalities”) that need to be accounted for by those acting (“internalizing”). Climate change generates a whole constellation of externalities of various different strengths aimed at different affected parties — some of which are benefitted — instead of the simplified global net negative effect. In terms of undoing those effects, we argue that this justifies transfers between those affected including, crucially, some of the potential positive externalities. This unified approach we call the “polluter pays, then receives” (PPTR or ‘Peter’) Principle, reflecting the mix of payments for negative externalities and reimbursements for (much more limited) positive externalities.
The other thing I am working on right now is an op-ed (co-authored with Peter Singer) arguing that the current COVID-19 pandemic is a better time than normal to introduce a carbon price. Things that would normally be disadvantages of a carbon price — like reducing mobility — are advantages during such a crisis. More importantly, if a carbon prices depresses the level of carbon consumption we return to, that is easier to adapt to than reducing consumption from a normal consumption scenario.
What’s your personal philosophy?
It is psychologically easy for us to compare ourselves with just our friends and colleagues, but if we have any humility in terms of what the living conditions are for large numbers of people on the planet, we would recognize how lucky we are. I think that recognition comes with a weighty obligation to help those in need, as well as an impetus to consider our own problems in light of the problems of others’, even globally or throughout time.
Name a trait, skill or characteristic that you have that others may not know about.
When I was little, I memorized Lewis Carroll’s “The Jabberwocky”. Also, the first 50 decimal places of π.
What are your favorite films of all time? Why?
Brazil (Terry Gilliam). My favorite film is hilarious and dark, but part of what I love about it is the metamovie reinforces the content of the movie itself; Gilliam fought with distributors in the editing process (the Criterion DVD version includes each version, with the astounding shortened one which is a bizarre romantic comedy) and his struggles over money and bureaucracy reinforce the dystopia of the film. Also, Robert De Niro has an unforgettable cameo, even if he’s hard to spot.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry). The most interesting use of science fiction to ask philosophical questions that I know.
Princess Mononoke (Hiyao Miyazaki). Miyazaki is for everyone young and old. Princess Mononoke is my favorite of his because the central conflict— between the forest and the humans — stayed with me after watching. I also like it because one of the producers mailed a katana to Harvey Weinstein with the attached message: “No cuts.”
What cause or charity do you care about most?
There are many different forms of extant injustice to work on. I care most about climate change. The reason is that, while many types of injustice can and should be addressed, few of them are as pressing — in the sense that they need to be addressed immediately — as climate change. Other injustices will be bad if perpetuated but there is at least the possibility of taking more time to eliminate them. While we should all try to improve different parts of society, the timeliness consideration tips the scales for me.
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Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall is an editor at the Blog of the APA who currently teaches philosophy, religion, and education courses solely online for Montclair State University, Three Rivers Community College, and St. John’s University.
