This paper is regarding the article “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” written by Peter Singer. In this article Singer gives a critique on how famine can be prevented by individuals in rich countries helping the ones who are in need of the famine relief. Singer believes that we have moral obligations to act in a certain way like to become committed to helping others in need. My views contradict to Peter Singer’s theory as it challenges the demanding and less demanding principles of Singer through analyzing and comparing them. Peter Singer argues that people, especially the ones that live in wealthy countries must alter their inception of morality and act upon that. Singers theory of moral values and principles suggest that individuals actions …show more content…
This principle may limit the moral values and actions that one can take. Singers less demanding principle sets restricts to the one lending a helping hand. It gives freedom to not devote to sacrificing something in order to prevent bad things. Nevertheless, individuals should commit to preventing bad things from happening and this should not be limited to doing so only when the loss is nothing morally significant. We are obligated to help others however without altering into the ones who need the help. Furthermore an objection to my analysis can be that it is up to the person to sacrifice something in order to prevent an unfortunate event but this is a weak opposition. The reason why this principle and this opposition is weak can be seen through the example of the drowning child. This principle gives the idea that it is not necessary to sacrifice yourself and your outfit in order to save the child from drowning. However, one cannot be thinking about how his charming suit will be ruined while a child is drowning. His priority must be to save the child or else that would defeat the concept of morality. This is because the comparison of a charming suit cannot be more powerful than a child 's life. One can repurchase his suit but can never bring back a
In the essay “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” by Peter Singer, he argues that people who are more than financially stable will not donate as much resources to a less fortunate person where a less fortune person would rather give up half of what they may have to help people in need. His main argument through out this essay is that a person’s decisions are based on their moral values. For example, if a train was coming towards two children, and a person had a chance to save them by hitting a lever that will direct the train into the path of one adult. Therefore, that person is most likely going to pull the lever to hit the adult over the children because they think of the children over the adult, and it has no true impact on themselves. Similarly,
The Singer Solution to world poverty, which was written by accomplished utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer, is a literary work that was written with the purpose of inspiring readers to forsake all excess in their lives and devote their nonessential income to charity. Mr. Singer is widely regarded for his cut and dry philosophy and his direct approach to literature which is clearly displayed in this work. In this work he deftly attacks the topic of world poverty and first world charity head on, similar to a no holds barred cage match. While the essay’s argument is logical to the point of simplicity and has powerful appeals to pathos, his aggressive tone and demand that the reader give up the entirety of their wealth diminishes his position
The position of Peter Singer on the subject of our moral obligation to aid those in need appears to be unquestionable at first glance; however, with further examination, Singer utilises arguments which, in my opinion, are weak and fundamentally impractical. It should also be noted that Singer himself does not follow his own principles as discussed in “Famine, Affluence and Morality” and his New York Times article, “The Singer Solution to Global Poverty”, contributing to the argument that his principles are impractical. In order to be methodical and fair, I will structure this essay in the following manner: first explaining Singer’s principles, continuing on to explain the points which I find to be lacking in his argument and concluding with
Philip Manning 12504697 Q) Evaluate Peter Singer’s argument in ‘Famine, Affluence and Morality’. There can be no doubt that Peter Singer’s argument in ‘Famine, Affluence and Morality’ is unrealistic, unfair and not sustainable. Singer’s arguments are valid arguments but not sound. In order to get a clear and balanced view of my arguments which disprove the Singer article, it is first necessary to examine and lay out the main aspects of Singer’s argument in ‘Famine, Affluence and Morality’. My arguments against Singer’s claims shall then be detailed and examined in depth.
Singer is no stranger to writing moral arguments, having written many different books and articles in the past on a wide range of ethical debates. “The Singer Solution to World Poverty,” originally printed in the New York Times in the fall of 1999 just before Singer began to work at Princeton University, is intended for the common man, a middle-class citizen who makes average wages and reads popular newspapers. As Singer is a professor of ethics, the article is structured around the
According to the United Nations, a child dies of hunger every ten seconds. Likewise, millions of people live in poverty and do not know when they will eat again. While the typical American throws away leftover food, children are dying across the world from starvation. To put this into perspective: By the time you have started reading, a child has died of hunger. But who is to blame?
Overall Singer claims that there is a major problem with absolute poverty; in order to prevent some of this poverty people should be obligated to assist the poor if nothing significant is comparable. He effectively breaks down and elaborate on his convincing premises by giving examples, and sufficient reasoning why we ought to prevent absolute poverty. In addition, there were some objections against Singers proposition, but his argument validated his conclusion. I was very convinced by Singer’s argument because his counter arguments were more persuasive and realistic. If society doesn’t prevent some poverty this problem of suffering from being poor it will continue.
Rather, Singer’s weaker version is more plausible, that one should take necessary action where we are able to prevent bad states of affairs without sacrificing morally significant (Singer, 1972). It is clear then that moral autonomy to pursue one’s own interests is something that can constitute moral significance. An individual is morally free not to devote themselves full time to prevent famine. It is important to make a distinction between the freedom to pursue one’s own interests and the freedom of wasting resources on excessive luxuries. Singer concedes there is no justification for the purchasing of stylish new clothes as any benefit to this purchase would be sparingly little compares to the benefit it would make for the poor in donating that money (Singer, 1972).
This ethical standard reflects both a universal good and the principle of utility proposed by Bentham and Mill. Respecting other people’s property and refraining from stealing promotes the well-being and happiness of society. While I strive to adhere to this standard, there may be rare circumstances where violating it might be compelled. For instance, if I were in a life-threatening situation and stealing necessary supplies or resources was the only way to ensure my survival or the survival of others, I might consider it as a last resort. However, I try my absolute best to not steal because it imbeds a bad mindset that what I have is not enough.
In this paper I will be arguing against Peter Singer’s views on poverty, which he expresses in his paper “The Singer Solution to World Poverty”. Singer argues that all people with wealth surplus to their essential needs are morally obligated to prevent the suffering of those in dire situations. I will argue that you can not hold people morally obligated to prevent the suffering of others, and that people can only be held morally obligated to prevent suffering that they themselves caused. To begin, we will look at Singers beliefs and arguments regarding poverty and the responsibility of people to help those in need. Singer’s first arguments revolves around a girl named Dora, who is a retired schoolteacher, who is barely making a living writing
Making the World a Better Place Poverty is the state of being extremely poor. Most people face poverty once they have children and start to live on their own. In “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift he presents a solution to mothers who are poor and cannot consume enough for the children. However, Peter Singer's view in “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” is to create the best outcome for those who are poor. To solve the world's problems everyone needs to help each other, stop being selfish, children to not be disturb, and adults to have same job opportunities, however others oppose saying the best way to solve world poverty problems would be to feed the wealthy with the poor.
Injustices, tragedies, and unfortunate circumstances have plagued humankind for all of existence. Many of these problems have arisen from the society of man, and could not be found in nature. The hatred, selfishness, prejudice, and maliciousness seen in so many injustices man created unnecessarily, as well as all the suffering it causes does not need to exist. If an individual witnesses a crime or injustice occurring, it is their responsibility to defend the weak and fight for whatever is morally right, even at the cost of themselves.
The principles of Sir Robert Peel are important for America today, and help shape todays modern police forces. Peels principles help keep order and peace to the police force of America. Peel drafted one of the first police bills in 1828, to improve the police in the Metropolis, it was passed in 1829 ( ). There are nine total principles in total that help guide the law enforcement. The first principle describes the basic mission to why police exist.
Singer’s Solution Good or Not? Who wouldn’t want to find a solution to end or reduce poverty in the world? A utilitarian philosopher, Peter Singer stated his own solution in his essay called “The Singer Solution to World Poverty”. Singer’s solution is simple: people shouldn’t be spend their money on luxuries, instead they should donate their money to overseas aid organizations. Peter uses two characters in his essay in hope to get to the hearts and minds of the people, and encourage them to donate.
This is an act of what is morally right and an example of what you should do, which again, ties into utilitarianism thinking.