Peter Singer Famine, Affluence, and Morality Essay

Lauren Formulak Professor Mrozinski 10/22/12 Human Rights: Consequential or Deontological View? Consequential ethics and deontological ethics (DE) mutually maintain that there is a right action that we morally ought to do. However, these normative ethical theories differ in the derivation of what is valued. In the case of human rights, both accounts are supportive of human rights, but for different reasons. Deontological ethics has as its basic thrust, the concept of a duty to do what is right. For one’s actions to be in accordance with DE, those actions must be realized out of a â€Å"notion of right (that) is not derived from a prior notion of good†, as explained by Illies (Illies, 2011, p. 107). A†¦show more content†¦In this light, one who holds to the DE concept of human rights has at his imperative the treatment of all individuals with equal respect, and the duty to promote their freedom with an â€Å"active pro-attitude†. Why does one do this? One does because this action, an â€Å"active pro-attitude† is good and the action of good is inherently good. As opposed to the deontological account, the consequentialist believes in the prior conception of the good. If something is good then it is right to promote something good according to consequentialism (Lillehammer, 2011, p. 90). Moreover, the actions with the best end results or consequences are what are to be evaluated as good. It must be clear that good intentions are not, at all, of value to consequentialists. Further, it is important to note that in decision-making, a consequentialist must hold to the demands of impartiality. Consequentialism upholds the idea that no one person is worth more than another (Lillehammer, 2011, p. 90). As we read in â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality,† Singer asserts that suffering from lack of food, shelter and medical care are bad. If we accept this assumption, and if we can, by our actions, prevent this bad from occurring, we are morally obligated to do so unless in so doing we sacrifice something that is of â€Å"comparable moral importance† (Singer, 1972, p. 500). Not all consequentialists agreeShow MoreRelatedFamine, Affluence and Morality by Peter Singers929 Words   |  4 Pages In this essay I will be arguing why a utilitarian could possibly disagree with Peter Singers Argument presented in â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality.† After reading such an interesting paper I must say as much as I disagreed with Singers viewpoints I almost found it difficult to object them with support. From a utilitarian point of view we are to maximize Happiness by reducing suffering. How can Giving possible make someone unhappy? But as I was thinking a saying came across my mind, â€Å"Two steps forwardRead MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality by Peter Singer1486 Words   |  6 PagesIn his own essay â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality†, Peter Singer puts forth some compelling arguments for affluent people to give what they have in excess, to the suffering people of the world. Before any criticism is made, here is the argument: - There are people suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care. - People suffering and dying from lack of food, shelter and medical care is bad. - If you have the power to prevent something bad from happening without sacrificing †¨anythingRead MoreThe Famine, Affluence And Morality By Peter Singer926 Words   |  4 PagesIn the â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality† Peter Singer argued that individuals are morally obligated to grant most of their belongings to famines. He puts his argument as following. â€Å"suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care are bad. If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without derby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it.† (Singer,454) John Arthur’s objection to this theory is that Singer’s second premise whichRead MoreFamine, Affluence, and Morality by Peter Singer1107 Words   |  5 Pages Famine, Affluence, and Morality by Peter Singer The Elements of Reason #8 1. Use two or three sentences to state the main purpose or argument in this article. In other words, what is the argument the author is making? (This should be a specific argument. We all know that the authors are writing about morality and ethics.) The main purpose or argument in this article is that Peter Singer believes that richer nations should give assistanceRead MoreIn Famine, Affluence, And Morality, Peter Singer Argues1553 Words   |  7 PagesIn Famine, Affluence, and Morality, Peter Singer argues for the utilitarian system of ethics. To thoroughly understand this system, one must first accept the notion that the individual has a moral obligation to prevent something bad from happening if it is in their power to do so. For Singer, there is no inherently good moral compass one must strictly abide by. Actions that are considered good or bad differ based on the situation in question. Contrarily, Immanuel Kant asserts that there is intrinsicRead MoreThe Problem of Poverty in Famine, Affluence, and Morality by Peter Singer1112 Words   |  5 Pages Peter Singer is often regarded as one of the most productive and influential philosophers of modern times. He is well-known for his discussions of the acute social, economic, and political issues, including poverty and famines. In his â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, Singer (1972) discusses the problem of poverty and hunger, as well as the way this problem is treated in the developed world. Singer believes that charity is inseparable from morality, and no distinction can be drawn between charityRead MoreAnalysis Of Peter Singer s Argument On Famine, Affluence, And Morality Essay1729 Words   |  7 PagesI’m a strong believer in that anyone can make their own choices in life. There is no such thing as â€Å"moral obligation† in my books, however there does exist â€Å"courtesy† or â€Å"kind-heartedness.† Peter Singer’s argument regarding famine, affluence, and morality is, in my opinion, strongly influenced by sympathetic and empathe tic feelings based on observations in a still developing country. In a sense, his reasoning is subjective and biased because he seems to focus only on the problem, and not the circumstancesRead MoreI.Introduction. Famine Is A Highly Prevalent And Debated1106 Words   |  5 PagesI. Introduction Famine is a highly prevalent and debated topic. Written in November 1971, Peter Singer’s â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality† addresses famine as a moral issue. Peter Singer, as a Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, focuses on ethics and moral values, and with his text, I will analyze this moral dilemma and show that the reasonable and well-thought Peter Singer’s argument is successful. II. Peter Singer’s Argument Peter Singer begins by laying out two basic premises: 1.Read MoreFamine, Affluence and Morality1663 Words   |  7 PagesSinger’s Famine, Affluence, and Morality Ametra Heard PHI208 Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor Zummuna Davis January 14, 2013 Singer’s Famine, Affluence, and Morality In the Peter Singer’s article â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†, he discusses the way that people should take moral in their help toward the support of the Bengal famine crisis. Singer states three obligations that would help the Bengal region through the means of a wealthy person, and those individuals living life on a dayRead Moresociety poverty has various definitions that lack the true picture that poverty depicts. Dictionary500 Words   |  2 Pagesreflected in Peter Singer’s â€Å"Famine, Affluence and Morality† essay and the opposing essay written by John Arthur in â€Å"World hunger and moral obligation: the case against Singer.† Peter Singer raises the question of poverty and our obligations toward it in his essay â€Å"Famine, Affluence, and Morality†. In the essay, Singer addresses the question of what obligations we have toward those around the globe who are suffering from lack of food, shelter or basic needs. Singer uses the terms ‘relieving famine,’ but