Assignment 2 Journaling Exercise: This Assignment Prepares Y

Assignment 2journaling Exercisethis Assignment Prepares You For The

This assignment prepares you for the final Microsoft PowerPoint assignment in M5: Assignment 1. Throughout this course, you have learned to apply a variety of critical thinking techniques to explore and assess contemporary issues. Often, you may get the best results using a multistep process that provides adequate time to think, write, research, and rewrite.

For this assignment, you will review the article by Peter Singer titled “America’s Shame,” which you will also use in M5: Assignment 1. Using the Argosy University online library resources, review the article by Peter Singer: Singer, P. (2009). America’s shame. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55 (27). B6–B10. (EBSCO AN) ?accountid=34899.

Complete the following: Record and describe six of your initial impressions of the article in a journal format. Identify and critically analyze the roots of these impressions, i.e., emotional, value based, or fact based. Support your statements with examples and appropriate scholarly references. You can use the Cornell Note-taking tools to complete this assignment. This tool has been widely used to systematically format and organize notes.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The article “America’s Shame” by Peter Singer presents a provocative examination of America's failure to address global poverty and inequality. As an ethical philosopher and bioethicist, Singer challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about America’s responsibilities on the international stage. Engaging with this article through reflective journaling allows a deeper understanding of my immediate reactions and their roots. This paper documents six initial impressions of the article, analyzing whether these stem from emotional responses, value judgments, or facts, supported by relevant examples and scholarly insights.

Initial Impressions and Critical Analysis

1. Shock at the Scale of Poverty

My first impression was one of shock upon learning the extent of global poverty that Singer describes. I felt a sense of disbelief about how affluent nations, particularly the United States, neglect their moral duty to alleviate suffering abroad. This impression is primarily fact-based; Singer provides compelling statistics and case studies demonstrating the severity of poverty. According to the World Bank (2020), over 760 million people live on less than $1.90 per day, highlighting the factual gravity of the problem.

2. Disgust Towards Moral Apathy

I experienced feelings of disgust regarding America’s moral apathy. Singer criticizes complacency and the inadequate allocation of resources toward global aid. This emotional reaction is rooted in my deeply held values about fairness and justice; I believe wealthy nations have an ethical obligation to help those in need. Supporting this, Singer (2009) argues that moral responsibilities are not limited by borders, a view aligned with cosmopolitan ethics.

3. Frustration with Political Inaction

There was a sense of frustration about the perceived political inaction regarding global poverty initiatives. This impression is fact-based, considering the limited funding dedicated to international aid despite widespread public support. For example, data from the OECD (2019) shows that U.S. foreign aid comprises only about 0.17% of its gross national income, which many consider insufficient.

4. Hopefulness for Change

Initially, I felt a flicker of hope that increased awareness and discourse could lead to policy change. This is a value-based impression, reflecting my hope for social justice and global responsibility. Singer’s call to action suggests that individual and collective efforts can make a difference, resonating with my optimistic belief in societal progress.

5. Guilt about Personal Privilege

I also noticed feelings of guilt regarding my own privilege and the disparities I witness daily. This emotional reaction stems from recognition of my relative abundance compared to those living in extreme poverty. It is supported by scholarly literature, such as Nussbaum's (2000), which emphasizes moral emotions as motivating ethical behavior.

6. Curiosity about Practical Solutions

Lastly, I was curious about practical, sustainable solutions to global poverty presented in the article. This impression is fact-based, and my interest lies in exploring effective aid models and their ethical implications. Singer’s discussion of direct aid versus systemic change prompts further research into policy alternatives, such as fair trade practices and international debt relief.

Conclusion

Journal reflection on Singer’s “America’s Shame” reveals a complex interplay of emotional, value-based, and fact-based impressions. Recognizing these roots enhances critical understanding and informs my subsequent responses and contributions to discussions about global ethics. Supporting these impressions with scholarly references reinforces their validity and underscores the importance of nuanced, reflective engagement with challenging social issues.

References

• Singer, P. (2009). America’s shame. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(27), B6–B10.
• World Bank. (2020). Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune. World Bank Publications.
• OECD. (2019). Development aid stable at US$ 147 billion in 2018. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
• Nussbaum, M. C. (2000). Women and human development: The Capabilities Approach. Cambridge University Press.
• Shultz, T. (2021). Ethical responsibilities and global poverty: A philosophical exploration. Journal of Global Ethics, 17(2), 155–169.
• Beitz, C. (2009). Cosmopolitan ideals and political realities. Journal of Moral Philosophy, 6(4), 417–439.
• Giddens, A. (2013). The Politics of Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
• Held, D. (2010). Cosmopolitanism: Ideals and realities. Cambridge University Press.
• Rawls, J. (2001). The Law of Peoples. Harvard University Press.
• Caney, S. (2010). Cosmopolitan justice, rights, and global climate change. Leiden Journal of International Law, 23(2), 189–206.