Famine, Affluence, and Morality Essay - 1371 Words

Famine, Affluence, and Morality Websters English Dictionary defines morality as: the conformity to ideals of right human conduct. With this in mind, I wonder who determines right human conduct? Religion aside, there is no literary context that strictly states the rights and wrongs of human behavior. So who decides? Who determines what we ought morally to do and what we are obligated to do as a society? An Australian philosopher, Peter Singer attempts to draw the line between obligation and charity with the moral incentives to providing food for the starved in East Bengal. Although he presents many sound arguments, the reality of his utopian world is that it cannot exist. In the following expository, I will justify my reasoning†¦show more content†¦The United States Government has numerous support groups thats sole purpose is to fend for impoverished countries like Bengal. For example, the U.S. Peace Corps, National Guard, Amnesty International, and American Red Cross, all of which raise funds and lend aid to areas of greatest need when it concerns the general welfare of the human race. Not only do governments lend aid, but BANDAID, Salvation Army, Tibetan Peace Conference, and numerous individual parties contribute moneys and rally support, march the streets, and demand relief to these countries. Singer states neither individuals nor governments can claim to be unaware of what is happening there [Bengal]. (page 152) My colleagues and I knew absolutely nothing of the recent developments in Bengal, which is not to say that we dont read newspapers or watch the evening news, but rather that the United States has priorities within its own country. American citizens tend to focus on the hardships that are within their spectrum, just as the British focus on troubles within The United Kingdom. The uncontroversial appearance of the principle just stated [without sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance], if it were acted upon, even in its qualified form, our lives, our society, an d our world would be fundamentally changed. --Singer (page 153) Indeed, if this principle were to be carried out effectively, it would bring about change, but no matter what kinds of relief were provided,Show MoreRelatedFamine Affluence And Morality1963 Words   |  8 PagesIn â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality,† Peter Singer emphasizes the potential revisionary implications of accepting utilitarianism as a guide for conduct. The moral philosophy Singer conveys in this text are most closely related and comparable to the ideas of nineteenth-century English philosopher, John Stuart Mill as Singers’ approach is utilitarian rather than deontological. Despite their similarities, the ideas of Singer and J.S Mill contain many discrepancies, especially with regard to whether theyRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality1663 Words   |  7 PagesSinger’s Famine, Affluence, and Morality Ametra Heard PHI208 Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor Zummuna Davis January 14, 2013 Singer’s Famine, Affluence, and Morality In the Peter Singer’s article â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, he discusses the way that people should take moral in their help toward the support of the Bengal famine crisis. Singer states three obligations that would help the Bengal region through the means of a wealthy person, and those individuals living life on a dayRead MoreFamine, Affluence, And Morality1555 Words   |  7 Pagesbetween numerous countries across the world, and enables people living in developed countries to help those who are experiencing famine, deaths and diseases in poor countries. However, the moral necessity of doing so has been controversial in human’s society for years. One philosopher named Peter Singer gives his opinion in the article â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, and presents a powerful argument supporting his claim. In this essay, I will explain his conclusion and main argument, propose oneRead MoreFamine, Affluence, And Morality906 Words   |  4 Pa gesWithin â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality† Peter Singer delves into the topic of famine; specifically, the moral obligations individuals in affluent countries have to those who are suffering. In his example, Singer focuses on the population of East Bengal, and their struggle with famine and extreme poverty. Singer proposes that with enough aid from both individuals and various governments extreme poverty can be eradicated. Therefore, the question he presents is why poor people are dying while affluentRead MoreFamine, Affluence, And Morality1991 Words   |  8 PagesWojtek Sokà ³Ã…‚ Phi 115-002 Ethics – Final Paper Famine, Affluence, and Morality Peter Singer Jimmy carter once said, We know that a peaceful world cannot long exist, one-third rich and two-thirds hungry. With the world now more interconnected than ever there might be a solution to world hunger by distribution of wealth. Peter Singer, in his article titled, Famine, Affluence, and Morality, takes this concept of unity that we have on a global scale and tries to tackle the issue of world hunger. BeforeRead MoreFamine, Affluence, and Morality Essay892 Words   |  4 PagesIn the article by Singer, P. (1972) â€Å"Famine, affluence, and morality† main argument is that to persuade his readers in what people of wealth and governments should help with famine relief, especially in East Bengal as one example given. Singer is furthermore also mention somewhat of and utilitarianism. Therefore, according to Mosser, K. (2010) â€Å"A concise introduction to philosophy† states that the â€Å"act utilitarianism applies the idea of utilitarianism to specific acts, emphasizi ng what moral isRead More Famine, Affluence, and Morality Essay2027 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality,† Peter Singer is trying to argue that â€Å"the way people in relatively affluent countries react to a situation†¦ cannot be justified; indeed,†¦ our moral conceptual scheme needs to be altered and with it, the way of life that has come to be taken for granted in our society†(Singer 230). Peter Singer provides striking examples to show the reader how realistic his arguments are. In this paper, I will briefly give a summary ofRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Peter Singers929 Words   |  4 Pages In this essay I will be arguing why a utilitarian could possibly disagree with Peter Singers Argument presented in â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality.† After reading such an interesting paper I must say as much as I disagreed with Singers viewpoints I almost found it difficult to object them with support. From a utilitarian point of view we are to maximize Happiness by reducing suffering. How can Giving possible make someone unhappy? But as I was thinking a saying came across my mind, â€Å"Two steps forwardRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Pete Singer1045 Words   |  4 PagesIn the article, â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, Pete Singer, a Utilitarian, argues that citizens in affluent countries such as the United States have a moral obligation to give up as much as they can for famine relief. Singer’s contention in his article is that the way we morally conduct ourselves ought to be reappraised. (Singer, 230). I Singer’s argument, and in this paper, I will examine the distinction between duty and charity, compare both deontological and consequential theories of ethicsRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Peter Singer1486 Words   |  6 PagesIn his own essay â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality†, Peter Singer puts forth some compelling arguments for affluent people to give what they have in excess, to the suffering people of the world. Before any criticism is made, here is the argument: - There are people suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care. - People suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care is bad. - If you have the power to prevent something bad from happening without sacrificing †¨anything