Famine, Affluence, and Morality Essay - 892 Words

In 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, emphasizing what moral is what produces the greatest good for the greats number†¦contrast with rule utilitarianism† (2010, Glossary). However, it is important to remember that Singer main agenda is to show ways that both people and counties deal with disasters and how to†¦show more content†¦(p. 962) To explain the three counter arguments on Singers response were weak and only seen to relate to the fact of the Bengalis and leaving other cultures behind or others such as Ethiopia where famine is a daily existence of life there. Therefore, Singer (1972) argues about trying to find: Distinction between duty and charity in some other place... that the present way of drawing the distinction, which makes it an act of charity for a man living at the level of affluence, which most people in the developed nations enjoy giving money to save someone else from starvation, cannot be supported. (p. 235) Lastly, Singer looks at the moral scheme of things and how they justify on giving aid and how the principle of marginal unity can apply. As he states that we have an obligation and duty to help others in famine suffering if we can do so, then it is in your morals scheme makeup to do so. According to Singer (1972) states that he had, â€Å"One objection to the position I have taken might be simply that it is too drastic a revision of our moral scheme. People do not ordinarily judge in the way I have suggested they should† (p. 236). Another point that Singer made was that â€Å"The conclusion that should be drawn is that the best means of preventing famine, in the long run, is population control† (p. 240). Therefore, the point is to help if one is able to or better yet,Show MoreRelatedFamine Affluence And Morality1963 Words   |  8 PagesIn â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality,† Peter Singer emphasizes the potential revisionary implications of accepting util itarianism 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. 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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 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 Essay1371 Words   |  6 PagesFamine, 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 obligationRead 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 a nd 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