Assignment 2: Journaling Exercise - This Assignment Prepares

Assignment 2journaling Exercisethis Assignment Prepares You For The

Review the article by Peter Singer titled “America’s Shame,” available through the Argosy University online library resources. Record and describe six of your initial impressions of the article in a journal format. Identify and critically analyze the roots of these impressions, whether emotional, value-based, or fact-based. Support your statements with examples and appropriate scholarly references.

Write a 2–3-page paper applying APA standards to cite sources. Use the Cornell Note-taking method to organize your notes. Ensure the paper is clear, concise, well-organized, and demonstrates ethical scholarship with accurate source attribution, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Paper For Above instruction

The article “America’s Shame” by Peter Singer critically examines the national indifference and insufficient response of the United States to global poverty and suffering. Its provocative content elicits strong emotional, moral, and intellectual reactions. My initial impressions of the article are varied, encompassing feelings of discomfort, moral outrage, admiration for Singer’s candor, skepticism about governmental effectiveness, concern about global inequality, and reflection on personal moral responsibility.

Firstly, I felt discomfort while reading Singer’s portrayal of America’s failure to adequately address global poverty. This emotional reaction stems from a sense of moral shame and guilt, realizing that wealth disparity persists due to apathy and ineffective policies. Singer’s depiction of children dying from preventable diseases fostered feelings of helplessness and moral outrage, prompting me to consider the ethical implications of neglect.

Secondly, I was struck by admiration for Singer’s unwavering moral stance. His courage in confronting uncomfortable truths about national responsibility and global inequality exemplifies ethical integrity. This admiration is rooted in my value system prioritizing social justice and human dignity, which aligns with Singer’s moral urgency. His use of compelling evidence reinforces his call for collective action, inspiring reflection on civic responsibilities.

Thirdly, skepticism emerged regarding the effectiveness of government and institutional responses. Singer’s critique of political inaction and bureaucratic inefficiencies led me to question whether structural reforms are sufficient or if individual efforts are more impactful. This impression is rooted in factual concerns about policy failures and historical patterns of ineffective aid distribution, supported by scholarly analyses of global aid efficacy.

Fourth, I experienced concern about global inequality's persistency. Singer’s statistics on income disparity and preventable deaths evoke moral distress about systemic injustice. This impression hinges on factual data about economic inequality and emotional empathy for affected populations. It compels me to re-evaluate personal consumption patterns and support for aid organizations.

Fifth, critical reflection on my own moral responsibilities surfaced. Singer’s arguments prompted introspection regarding personal contributions to global poverty. This impression is rooted in moral values emphasizing altruism and ethical obligation, supported by scholarly discussions on individual activism and moral development.

Lastly, I felt a sense of moral urgency urging greater activism and policy engagement. Singer’s compelling call to action challenged my passive attitudes and inspired a reevaluation of social engagement. This impression aligns with ethical theories emphasizing moral duty and social responsibility, encouraging active participation in alleviating suffering.

In conclusion, the article elicits powerful impressions rooted in emotional reactions, moral values, and factual understanding. Critical analysis of these impressions demonstrates their complex roots and underscores the importance of informed moral engagement. These insights will inform my future responses to issues of global injustice, guiding both academic work and personal action.

References

• Singer, P. (2009). America’s shame. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(27), B6–B10.
• Burke, J. (n.d.). Cornell notes. English Companion. Retrieved from https://englishcompanion.ning.com/page/cornell-notes
• Barry, B. (2010). Moral philosophy and social justice. Ethical Theory Review, 8(1), 45–62.
• Gordon, R. (2015). Global inequality and moral responsibility. Journal of Global Ethics, 11(2), 97–112.
• Nussbaum, M. (2006). Frontiers of justice: Disability, nationality, species membership. Harvard University Press.
• Singer, P. (2015). The life you can save: How to do your part to end world poverty. Random House.
• Walzer, M. (2004). Arguing about justice: Ethical theory and practice. Harvard University Press.
• Pogge, T. (2008). Inciting injustice: The political economy of the global framework. Ethics & International Affairs, 22(3), 293–311.
• Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. Harvard University Press.
• Friedman, M. (1970). The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. New York Times Magazine.