An Analysis Of Famine, Affluence, And Morality By Peter Singer

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Peter Singer wrote an essay titled “Famine, Affluence, and Morality.” In this essay, he discusses whether or not we are personally responsible for the suffering (starvation) of others. Singer believes that if you have the means to do so, you are morally obligated to help others in need. He says that if suffering can be prevented without sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, then it should be done. The question that we must look at is: Is Singer right? Is it our personal responsibility to help others? The logical answer to this question is: no, we are not. How can someone be held individually responsible for someone who is starving all the way across the Atlantic Ocean? We did not take away their food or make it impossible for them to gain access to it. We did not give birth to them and we sure did not force them to stay in their country. The problem is, the starvation of these people is “not inevitable.” There is a way to change it. So while I believe Singer is wrong in the idea that we are responsible and morally obligated to provide relief, it does not mean we should not. He is right when he says “it is not …show more content…

This is a difficult question, but Singer offers some pretty simple solutions in his essay. He says, “people have not written to their parliamentary representatives demanding increased government assistance; they have not demonstrated in the streets, held symbolic fasts, or done anything else directed toward providing the refugees with the means to satisfy their essential needs.” These are all excellent examples of ways to provide assistance without having to give out money. In my case, these are definitely some things I could do because I do not have money to give away. The problem is, I do not care enough to give that much time of my day away. I will put help where I can and when I can, but I personally cannot do much for the masses. I am sure that a large population of people in America feel this

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