Tusayan Commercial Development and Its Ethics

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Introduction

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided river valley in Colorado. It has an uplifted Paleozoic and Proterozoic strata (Cart 4). For centuries, the area has been inhabited by the Native Americans. The inhabitants of the Grand Canyon consider the place to be sacred. Over the past few decades, the area has gained extensive popularity in the world. It has become one of the most popular tourist attraction sites in the globe.

To this end, it is noted that the Grand Canyon National Park attracts an estimated five million visitors annually. People from the United States make up the largest group of sightseers in the park. They account for 83% of the tourists visiting the region (Crawford 5). Tourists from the rest of the world make up 17% of the total visitor’s amount (Cart 3). The southern part of the park is accessible all-the-year-round. On its part, the northern part is open for about five months in a year.

A utilitarian view of the proposed development in the park reveals that it has more disadvantages than benefits. In light of this, the projects should be halted. In this paper, the author argues against the commencement of the controversial commercial development of Tusayan, Arizona, which is one of the projects proposed by investors in this region. To achieve this objective, the writer will adopt the utilitarian normative approach to investments.

The Proposed Commercial Development of Tusayan, Arizona

In the recent past, no major private or government investments have been made in the Grand Canyon. However, a number of developers and investors have expressed their desire to put up multimillion-dollar projects in the area. One of the proposed investments is the commercial development of Tusayan. Currently, the town has approximately 500 inhabitants. If it is implemented, the housing project will increase this number to 5000 (Morales 2). The proposal has attracted mixed reviews from both the locals and international parties. Some people support the development plans, while others oppose the move.

A Review of the Utilitarian Normative Theory

The utilitarian normative theory is a supposition used by analysts in the field of community development. The theoretical framework argues that the best cause of action is the one that maximizes utility. For example, the number of stakeholders who stand to benefit from the Tusayan project should involve a wider range of participants and not solely those who would be adversely affected (Cart 2). Efficacy is defined in a number of ways. However, the initial definition, which is commonly used by scholars, was coined by Jeremy Bentham.

The philosopher is considered to be the pioneer of utilitarianism. According to him, utility entails pleasure and happiness. In other words, it is the absence of pain. Over the decades, various scholars have focused on this concept in their studies. The researchers have come up with different perceptions of utility. John Stuart Mill, for example, defines efficacy by making reference to the quality of pleasure. In addition, Mill makes use of rules as opposed to individual moral actions. On their part, other scholars in the field describe utility in terms of suffering. In light of this, such intellectuals advocate for negative utilitarianism. In spite of the numerous studies and different perceptions of the concept, academicians have been unable to figure out the fact of whether individuals should conform to utility or agents should be conventional to ethical rules. In addition, the proponents’ opinions remain divided on how utility should be gauged.

In this paper, the author will make use of Bentham’s hedonic calculus to analyze a controversial commercial development plan in the Grand Canyon (Morales 3). Bentham’s hedonic or felicific calculus applies to the problem because it measures the degree of pleasure caused by specific actions. The calculus is used to analyze the moral status of any activity carried out by an agent. Bentham points out several variables, which are taken into consideration when carrying out the computations. The variables include intensity, duration, certainty or uncertainty, and fecundity. Other issues that are to be taken into consideration include purity, extent, and propinquity.

A Critical Analysis of the Grand Canyon Development Issue through the Lens of Bentham’s Utilitarian Theory

For decades, the Grand Canyon has remained a great tourist attraction site. The park draws millions of visitors from different parts of the world. Its ecology is made up of different species of plants and animals. It is also characterized by a wide range of life zones and communities (Crawford 4). The most popular activities in the area include sightseeing, rafting, and helicopter tours. Other undertakings are hiking and running.

As already being indicated in this paper, there are no major developments that have been made in the Grand Canyon in the recent past. In spite of the lack of key commercial undertakings, different investors have shown their interests in the area. The parties have developed a wide range of plans aimed at improving the experience of tourists visiting the park (Cart 9). However, the proposals have elicited strong sentiments among the various stakeholders. One primary development initiatives are the intention to construct a multimedia complex. The plan is referred to as the Grand Canyon Escalade. The other scheme is Tusayan Development. The latter, which is used as a case study in this paper, entails the construction of 2000 homes (Cart 10). The schemes are regarded by conservationists as some of the most significant threats to the park over the past 95 years.

According to the developers and parties supporting the plan, the scheme will be beneficial to the tourists and local tribes. Some of the benefits cited include the fact that 8 to 18% of the gross earnings will go to the locals as an enticement (Crawford 3). Another advantage associated with the developments includes jobs for the locals.

If an investigation is carried out, the plans will have both pros and cons to the tourist attraction site and the local inhabitants. However, it is clear that the demerits outweigh the merits. The disadvantages are made apparent when critical analysis of the case is done using Bentham’s hedonic calculus. A review of the plans from this perspective shows that the amount of pleasure resulting from the cause of action will be low for the locals and high for foreign investors. The local communities consider the great Canyon to be a sacred and peaceful location. For example, Crawford notes that most natives consider the place to be a final spiritual resting place (2). Building hotels and entertainment centers in the Canyon would rob the place of its religious and spiritual value. According to the hedonic calculus, the scheme would not have any benefits to the natives and tourists who consider the site to be holy.

The Great Canyon is a world heritage site. It has maintained its original appearance and cultural value for millions of years (Cart 9). Over the years, the park has attracted millions of tourists in spite of the fact that there are no major developments on the site. There are no major commercial projects by the government or the private sector in the park. Notwithstanding this situation, the capacity of the Canyon has strained annually. The planned housing units in Tusayan are to worsen the situation. Some of the effects associated with the development include pollution and over-tapping of the water springs. Another negative impact has to do with the disruption of wildlife. As indicated earlier in this paper, Tusayan has an estimated population of 500 inhabitants (Crawford 8). Putting up the proposed residential units will increase the number of people to 5000.

According to Bentham, utilitarian acts should lead to ‘a greater good’. A review of the schemes reveals that the developers will be the greatest beneficiaries in terms of finances. On their part, the locals and the park will be on the losing end. The developers are not interested in the environmental impacts of the projects and their effects on the Grand Canyon. According to the principle of utility, the pleasure derived by individuals from a given project should be of equal value to each party (Cart 3). However, in this case, it is evident that the developers will benefit more than the other stakeholders.

Conclusion

The Grand Canyon is a significant tourist site in the United States. The park plays a key role in entertainment. It is of paramount importance for a number of Native American tribes. In addition, the Grand Canyon is home to different species of plants, birds, and animals. An analysis of the proposed Tusayan project from the perspective of Bentham’s utilitarian views reveals that the investment will have more harm than benefit. The park does not need additional developments. The view was captured vividly by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. The president argued that man cannot improve the park; he can only mar it.

Works Cited

Cart, Julie, National Park Service Calls Development Plans a Threat to Grand Canyon. 2014. Web.

Crawford, Amanda, Grand Canyon on the Precipice. 2014. Web.

Morales, Laurel, Proposed Gondola for Grand Canyon’s Rim has Community on Edge. 2014. Web.

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