Singer

Singer Pg 233 ?If its in our power?? Without sacrificing something that?s in equal consequence. The consequence he?s worried about is death from lack of food, shelter and medical care. If it?s in our power to stop this consequence then we ought to do it. This is our duty! His main argument (232-233) We should care From a moral point of view proximity doesn?t matter Which means just because something is far from where you are doesn?t make a moral difference. If you care about starving children here you should care about them in other places. Persons in the same circumstances have the same duty. Conclusion: We have a duty to prevent suffering and death. Anything we don?t need we should give to the needy. Not so extreme quote ?even if we accepted the principle in its moderate form we would have to give away enough to assume?? pg 241 Extreme quote ?The principle requires reducing to the level of moral significance?? Pg 241 This duty applies to everyone now but he?s still thinking of the worst consequence. Ex: He thinks I should give away all my tuition money in order to save the starving children that are going to die of starvation in Africa. Objection: the people we have a moral obligation to help are the future generations of our society. But he will say that that?s not what?s going on right now. What we need to worry about is what?s happening right now! Pg 238 Major objections We all ought to morally be working full time to stop the bad consequence His response: just because we feel a certain way doesn?t mean its morally correct to act that way. It?s too drastic of a moral scheme His response: our way of thinking is not correct. Categories: Perfect duties: what you owe to a certain person (charity: Singer) Imperfect duty: nobody has a particular right to say you have to act in a certain way but it?s wrong if you don?t. (Charity: Mill) Supererogatory: it goes beyond the other duties. It?s extra credit.(Charity: Us) Mill thinks: Charity is an imperfect duty and you?re a bad person if you don?t give to charity. Singer thinks: we should give up everything and everyone should all be equal when it comes to the things we have. Charity is a perfect duty. We think: charity is a supererogatory. Nobody else is doing it so why should I? I won?t make much of a difference. Singer?s response: Page 237-239 Even though people aren?t doing it doesn?t mean you don?t have that moral duty. Ex: you should save he drowning child even if nobody else is.