A Change Must Come
Jeremy Hudson
“A Change Must Come.”
PHI 208
Professor Michael Pankrast
1
Imagine living in a world where you did not know where you next meal was coming from. Could you live life knowing that you would never get that full satisfaction of being full? I do even know if I could do that one. In Peter Singer’s article, “ Famine, Affluence and Morality,” Singer addresses these idea just as such. Throughout this essay I will state Singer’s goal in writing this article while presenting his argument in relation to his view. I then will give u counter - arguments to his points while providing Singer’s response. I will then wrap up by giving you the concept of marginal utility and the concept of Singer’s proposed world of charity and duty. Finally, I will provide you with my view on Singer’s ideas and essay. Singer’s goal in his article, “Famine, Affluence and Morality,” was to inform the viewers of their moral obligation to people suffering from obtaining their basic necessities. In relaying this to his audience, Singer used East Bengal’s current state of suffering as an example. Right now, people who reside in East Bengal are currently suffering because of lack food , shelter, and medical care. While referring to the current situation in Bengal, Singer argues that relatively affluent countries react to situations like Bengal’s in improper manner and it can not be justified. What Singer wants his audience to understand is that if we can prevent something horrible from happening, without causing more harm, we should do it. Singer not only believes that we ought to do it but he also feels that it is something we should , morally. In other words, it is the right thing to do to prevent anything bad from happening. Singer strengthens his claim by giving us a scenario involving a person a drowning. Okay so imagine your yourself walking by a pond, and all of a sudden out of
2
nowhere, you see a child drowning. What do you
“A Change Must Come.”
PHI 208
Professor Michael Pankrast
1
Imagine living in a world where you did not know where you next meal was coming from. Could you live life knowing that you would never get that full satisfaction of being full? I do even know if I could do that one. In Peter Singer’s article, “ Famine, Affluence and Morality,” Singer addresses these idea just as such. Throughout this essay I will state Singer’s goal in writing this article while presenting his argument in relation to his view. I then will give u counter - arguments to his points while providing Singer’s response. I will then wrap up by giving you the concept of marginal utility and the concept of Singer’s proposed world of charity and duty. Finally, I will provide you with my view on Singer’s ideas and essay. Singer’s goal in his article, “Famine, Affluence and Morality,” was to inform the viewers of their moral obligation to people suffering from obtaining their basic necessities. In relaying this to his audience, Singer used East Bengal’s current state of suffering as an example. Right now, people who reside in East Bengal are currently suffering because of lack food , shelter, and medical care. While referring to the current situation in Bengal, Singer argues that relatively affluent countries react to situations like Bengal’s in improper manner and it can not be justified. What Singer wants his audience to understand is that if we can prevent something horrible from happening, without causing more harm, we should do it. Singer not only believes that we ought to do it but he also feels that it is something we should , morally. In other words, it is the right thing to do to prevent anything bad from happening. Singer strengthens his claim by giving us a scenario involving a person a drowning. Okay so imagine your yourself walking by a pond, and all of a sudden out of
2
nowhere, you see a child drowning. What do you
References: Irianeyjfry. (2013, 3 Jan). General format.Retrieved from . Singer, Peter. “Famine, Affluence, and Morality.” Philosophy and Public Affairs. Vol. 1, No. 3 (Spring 1972), pp. 229-243.