Keeping People Ignorant (es#145)

From: Dean Ritz
Series: Ethically Speaking
Length: 02:00

If ignorance is no excuse, should we excuse people who keep us ignorant? Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Keeping People Ignorant (es#145)
From: Dean Ritz

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Piece Description

See plaintext transcript.

Transcript

DENI: We are Deni Elliott and Dean Ritz for Ethically Speaking.

DEAN: If ignorance is no excuse. Can we excuse people who try to keep others ignorant?

DENI: Ignorant of what? I?m ignorant of your income but then I don?t have any reason to expect to know your income and nor does the answer have any impact upon me.

DEAN: But what if it concerns something that directly affects your health or community

DENI: Under those conditions, it is ethically suspect to deliberately keep that information hidden. So, what?s the story.

DEAN: The story is in proposed changes to the EPA?s Toxic Release Inventory regulations. Currently, these regulations require companies make annual reports detailing toxic pollution when it is greater than 500 pounds of any one toxin. These reports enter the public record.

DENI: Given the potential health impact of these activities, the public has a need t...
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