Singer's Goal Is a Very Noble One. Essay

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Singer's goal is a very noble one. Through his article, Singer is attempting to dispel many of the more common notions of moral obligation and charity. His article attempts to provide the reader with concrete notions of moral obligation as they relate to overall human behavior. He presents various notions such as the need to help others irrespective of proximity or geographic preference. Singer, through his article also provides evidence as to the absurd thinking prevailing in the developed nations regarding charity. I particularly applaud how Singer contrast's man's desire for clothes with the need to preventing starvation. In the article Singer shows how many unnecessarily spend money on items that provide no moral benefit to society, while others in neighboring countries are starving. The goal of this article is for those in the developed nations to rethink how they regard moral obligation and charity. The article's goal is also aimed at dispelling many of the more common though processes of those in the developed nations regarding charity.

In relation to the Bengali refugees, Singer uses his arguments to persuade the reader to provide more relief funds to the area. He argues that it is man's moral obligation to do so. Singer uses a quote from Thomas Aquinas which reads:

"Now, according to the natural order instituted by divine providence, material goods are provided for the satisfaction of human needs. Therefore the division and appropriation of property, which proceeds from human law, must not hinder the satisfaction of man's necessity from such goods. Equally, whatever a man has in superabundance is owed, of natural right, to the poor for their sustenance. So Ambrosius says, and it is also to be found in the Decretum Gratiani: "The bread which you withhold belongs to the hungry; the clothing you shut away, to the naked; and the money you bury in the earth is the redemption and freedom of the penniless."

Singer uses this argument and quote to further justify man's obligation to help those in nations suffering from starvation.

Explain three counter-arguments to Singer's position that he addresses in his article, and then indicate Singer's responses to those counter-arguments.

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Singer masterfully dispels many counter- arguments to his theory of moral obligation. The first, and admittedly, most used counter- argument, is that his assertions are too radical. Critics to Singer's theory believe his concepts to be too radical for the general public at large. As such, they assert that any Singer's theory be accepted. They believe the current theories of moral obligation and charity are too entrenched in society. For instance, many individuals condemn those who violate an established moral law. Acts such as murder, theft, and assault are all condemned by society. However, acts that may be morally incorrect but not wrong, are not subject to the same condemnations. Acts such as spending money on a luxury car instead of providing food for those who are starving, is not seen to be morally wrong. Singer counters this argument by asserting that our moral obligations require us to look beyond our immediate boundaries. Singer believes that individuals are influenced primarily by what others around them are doing.

The second counter argument presented in the article is the duty between duty and charity. Singer assets that developed societies should be working as much as possible to prevent as much harm as possible. He believes, morally, that society should be working full time to help relieve the suffering of others. This work should occur unless undue hardship is imposed on those that are working. Critics counter by asserting that providing relief is only a temporary solution. The problem of starvation, they say, will be prevented temporarily, but the underlying problems will still remain. Singer counters this argument by asserting that efforts could go not to prevented starvation solely, but to the joint issue of population growth and starvation. Singer also asserts that because the problem of starvation may continue, it does not absolve the individual from his moral obligation to help.

Singer's third point is arguably the most interesting one. He asserts that philosophers have no credible basis for many of societies more pressing issues. Singer dispels….....

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