In Larry Laudan’s “Endanger Thy Neighbor”, Mr. Laudan discusses the risk-responsibility paradox lying within self-protection and benefits. This paradox is evident in every decision we make as human beings, consciously or subconsciously. As human beings, our nature is survival of the fittest. We may be concerned with the well-being of others, but deep down the first person we think about in those types of situations are ourselves. This mode of decision making is what I believe creates the risk-responsibility scenario and makes it present in everyday life.
Laudan utilizes several examples to show his belief that whenever you make a decision that increases your safety or betters your quality of life in some sort way, it will most likely result in a negative effect on the people around you. For example, purchasing a burglary system would reduce your chances of getting robbed but would increase your neighbors chances of being burglarized. And purchasing a larger vehicle, like an SUV, would increase your chances to survive a crash but would put others who are involved in the accident at higher risk of severe injury or even death. In response to this he then goes on to show instances were decision making that is beneficial for you can also be harmful at the same time. For example, purchasing a car with fully equipped safety precautions, or buying a home security system. Lauden goes on to explain that people become more careless in these types of circumstances. The people with safer cars drive more carelessly and people with home security are more likely to forget to lock their doors or windows. In his examples, I believe Luadan brings to light a very interesting subject and provides significant examples of where people are willing to take chances at the risk of others and sometimes even themselves.
I agree strongly with Laudan’s observations and beliefs on how people’s