Ethics

1110-040
Famine, Affluence, and Morality
Peter Singer
In the reading- Famine, Affluence, morality, the author explains his stance on what
should be our moral duties and what we should consider charitable action. His main idea is as
follows, if we have the means to stop something bad or wrong from happing then we should do
it, provided that our own actions do not make us do things that are also morally wrong or give up
something that is morally important to us. He says that he hopes not to change what is seen as
right or wrong but our own thoughts on what is important to help and what is not. One of his first
arguments supporting this is based on the thought that we should help others in need
regardless of their distance to us. Making the example that the problems of those who are
halfway across the world are no less important than those problems we have in our own towns
and we should make the effort to help both. The other main point he had to support his claim is
that even when people at large are giving support or money to help at an issue, an individual
should have the responsibility to give more then what is asked of them. This is with the
assumption that others in the same circumstance can not or will not give the same amount, the
extra effort will help better the issue that is trying to be helped. Some of the objections Singer
raises and then responds to are, it would be too difficult and almost mindful thinking to try and
change everyone’s perspective of thinking on what is charitable or not and to this Singer says
that just because people do not think that it is possible does not make it wrong on try. Another
objection made is there are some things that are not duties but indeed charitable acts and this
would go against the Utilitarianism way of thinking which is the action you take should be going
towards creating the greatest amount of good possible. By accepting that certain things are not
as important as others it is saying that somethings not all of the good or bad is the same.
Overall I think that Singer is saying the things we consider charity is more than just that and we
should do what we can as an individual but also as a society to help resolve these problems but
also remember that we have to take care of ourselves not only to not end needing help but also
to help those who can not.