TITLE:
Is Climate Change a Moral Issue? Effects of Egoism and Altruism on Pro-Environmental Behavior
AUTHORS:
Igor Knez
KEYWORDS:
Climate Change, Egoism, Altruism, Pro-Environmental Behaviour
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.4 No.2,
June
14,
2016
ABSTRACT: Do value orientations of egoism and altruism affect pro-environmental behaviour? The answer is
“yes”, according to the results obtained. Corresponding to the self-benefit goal hypothesis, egoistic
individuals (rated “high” on egoism) were shown to perceive having less control; that is, they believed
that it was too difficult as well as pointless to do much about environmental issues. They
were also less willing to pay higher taxes and prices as well as cut their standard of living for environmental
protection. In contrast, and along the lines of empathy-altruism hypothesis, altruistic
individuals (rated “high” on altruism) were shown to perceive having more control and showed a
greater willingness to make sacrifices. Egoistic compared to altruistic individuals were also shown
to be less prepared not to drive their car for environmental reasons. This suggests that a deontic
proposition of “we should behave pro-environmentally” is recognized as a moral issue by the altruistic
individuals, but not by the egoistic ones. Accordingly, when promoting sustainable policy
and “ethical” decision making, it is important to take into account imperatives of egoism and altruism
involved in climate-change-related decision making.