Which ethical careers make a difference? The Replaceability Issue in the Ethics of Career Choice

Abstract

This thesis examines the ethical implications of replaceability in career choices, arguing that the consequences of a decision for an agent are determined by the difference between what occurs when they make a decision and what would have happened otherwise. The author introduces the ‘Simple Analysis’ of replaceability, which claims that the consequences are determined by the difference between the agent’s actions and their hypothetical replacement. This analysis is critiqued due to the ‘Iteration Effect’, which shows that a chain of replacements occurs in reality. A ‘Sophisticated Analysis’ is then developed, which considers the impact of each step in this chain. The thesis argues that the job-related consequences of a career decision are not only morally relevant, but also typically determine which decision is ethically preferable. This is termed the ‘Dominance Thesis’. The author considers several counterarguments to this thesis, such as the existence of side constraints, as well as the potential for harmful signalling effects. However, the Dominance Thesis is defended on the basis that these considerations are often outweighed by the magnitude of the job-related consequences, which can be substantial. In addition, several analogies are explored, such as ethical investing. In conclusion, the thesis argues that an assessment of the consequences of different career options, as determined by replaceability, is enough to work out which option an ethically minded person should take. – AI-generated abstract.