Instructions Step 1 After Reading All Of Chapter 21 Please S

Instructionsstep 1 After Reading All Ofchapter 21 Please Select T

STEP 1 - After reading all of Chapter 21 , please select the following primary source reading: “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” by Peter Singer (starting on page 829). STEP 2 - Write a short, objective summary of 250 words summarizing the main ideas being put forward by the author in this selection. Your summary should include no direct quotations from any author. Instead, summarize in your own words, and include a citation to the original. Format your Reading Summary assignment according to either MLA or APA formatting standards, and attach as either a .doc, .docx, or .rtf filetype. Other filetypes, or assignments that are merely copy/pasted into the box will be returned ungraded.

Paper For Above instruction

The philosophical essay “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” by Peter Singer critically examines the ethical obligations of wealthy individuals and societies to aid those suffering from famine and extreme poverty. Singer challenges conventional notions of charity by arguing that moral responsibility extends beyond occasional acts of generosity to a duty that is obligatory and urgent. He contends that if we can prevent suffering and death without sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, then we are morally obligated to do so. The essay draws on utilitarian principles, emphasizing that the alleviation of suffering maximizes overall happiness and reduces unnecessary pain. Singer critiques the disparity in global wealth, highlighting that the affluent have a moral duty to reallocate resources to aid impoverished populations, especially when such aid is readily accessible. He advocates for a radical shift in moral perspective, suggesting that proximity or physical distance should not influence our moral commitments, as suffering is equally severe regardless of location. The article emphasizes that minimal ethical considerations, such as buying luxury items or indulging in leisure, can be morally questionable when contrasted with the poverty alleviation efforts needed elsewhere. Singer’s argument invites moral reflection on how individuals and governments should prioritize their responsibilities, urging an expanded view of moral obligation that embraces global justice. This essay remains influential in contemporary ethical debates concerning aid, social justice, and moral duties in a globally interconnected world, emphasizing that morality necessitates action to reduce preventable suffering wherever it exists.

References

  • Singer, P. (1972). Famine, Affluence, and Morality. In R. B. Brandt (Ed.), Humanist Perspectives in Ethics (pp. 829-842). University of Pennsylvania Press.
  • Estlund, D. M. (2008). Democratic Authority: A Philosophical Framework. Princeton University Press.
  • Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
  • Nagel, T. (1979). The Practice of Moral Judgment. Cambridge University Press.
  • Parfit, D. (2011). On What Matters. Oxford University Press.
  • Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
  • Singer, P. (1993). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
  • Ogden, C. (2007). Cosmopolitan Justice: An Ethical Framework for Global Poverty Relief. Ethics & International Affairs, 21(3), 285-304.
  • Shue, H. (1980). A Choice for Humanity: The Ethics of Initiative and Preventive Action. Princeton University Press.
  • Walzer, M. (1983). Spheres of Justice: A Defense of Pluralism and Equality. Basic Books.