Famine, Affluence, and Morality

890 Words2 Pages

In the article by Singer, P. (1972) “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) “A concise introduction to philosophy” states that the “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 give to people in need and distress. Therefore, according to Singer, (1972), he states that: people in relatively affluent countries react to a situation like that in Bengal cannot be justified; indeed, the whole way we look at moral issues 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. (p. 230)
The main point that Singer is trying to make is that the ones who have been blessed to have wealth and has the mean to be able should give especially in the time of disaster of in need. Singer also thinks that governments should also give and step in when their country is in need or help other counties when they are in need, as you help us and we will help you. However another point of view would be According to Smith, Faro, and Burson, (2013) “More for the Many: The Influence of Entitativity on Charitable Giving” mentioning that:
Some charity organizations use what we know about the strong reaction to images and person...

... middle of paper ...

...ore, if you have blessed having with wealth and are able to give then one should at their own discretion. Therefore, we also I feel should help those where we live. First, we should help our community then to our state to our country before we help others from outside our borders.

References
Jamieson, D. (2005). Duties to the Distant: Aid, Assistance, and Intervention in the Developing World. Journal Of Ethics, 9(1/2), 151-170. doi:10.1007/s10892-004-3324-9
Mosser, K. (2010). A concise introduction to philosophy. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Singer, P. (1972). Famine, affluence, and morality. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 1(3), 229-243. Retrieved from JSTOR database.
Smith, R. W., Faro, D., & Burson, K. A. (2013). More for the Many: The Influence of Entitativity on Charitable Giving. Journal Of Consumer Research, 39(5), 961. doi:10.1086/666470

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