Famine, Affluence, and Morality Essay

Whilst reading Singers ideas of a global colony in which a person is obligated to cargon some nonpareil in submit regardless of proximity, has moral bearing, only if also portrays a quite a one sided view of what we consider as helping former(a) famishment nations in need. For example, approximately 1 in 8 the Statesns live infra the poverty line, in saying this the question comes to mind, why we should be implicated with poverty in opposite nations without original pitiful about our avouch problems.When presented with Singers views adverting helping other third world nations and the guilty spirit he implies through his article, it is imperative that the reader non get so cloaked up into whats best for the global community and start view whats best for each sovereign nation. I do not fully disagree with the stratums presented by Peter Signer, but, I feel that industrialize nations such as America are facing their own problems that moldiness be resolved first before we can start worrying about other nations.For example, American families are being forced to endure interest on a debt that was created out of thin breed, by this I am referring to the current economic institution known as the federal Reserve which has been a thorn in the side of every tax stipend American, it was the federal reserve act of 1913, which would force the American battalion into Inflation, Deflation, never ending debt, slavery, and bondage through money created out of thin air and sold to the treasury, at interest, for its bonds, which are guaranteed by the American taxpayer.According to the human being poverty index, the coupled States ranked 16th, which is one rank below the United Kingdom (Thoren & Warner, pg. 23). I feel these problems should be solved first, before we concern ourselves with what is happening with other countries around the world.Whilst arguing what I feel pass on be of the most benefit to the country in which I live, I feel that once these problems are solved, it would be wise to help other nations, not just because of the business relationships that could develop through such processes, but also because of the global image such feats would produce.For example, during World War two, America developed a weapon thats strength was unknown until its time, the nuclear Bomb. The Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, and in an effort to trim back tension between the United States and those notions within the region of Hiroshima, the United States helped redo Hiroshima. The point in all this being that by helping other nations the United States can acquire new allies and develop abiding business relationships.Further more, Peter Singer claims that although thither is a common government note between duty and supererogation, this does not justify such a distinction. I feel that it is morally right to contribute to those nations which are less heaven-sent than we are, but this view of morality must be in symmetry with a moral code the ordinary man can plug in to. For instance, the ordinary man, being asked to do things he/she considers unnecessary, could result in a general breakdown of compliance amongst the citizens of that particular country.As stated earlier, there must be a balance between the inwardness of aid we permit other countries to have, and the amount of aid we give ourselves. How can one nation help another, if that nation is suffering from the same conditions? It is imperative to the pick of America that its economic system is sound, and its industry provides enough decent paying jobs for its citizens. Considering Americas current situation, I strongly feel that certain major problems, such as unemployment and the countrys economic system should be the first priority, then helping other countries in need would be the atomic number 42 most important priority.Singers article contains many parallels with the receptive viewpoints discussed, on page six he state We ought to b e preventing as much suffering as we can without sacrificing something else of comparable value (Singer, pg 5). This education contains much wisdom. Singers view point considering those citizens who have accumulated extraordinary amounts of wealth, and the need for them to give there surplus wealth to the less fortunate tight resembles the theology of many religious institutions.While although I believe that those citizens that are more fortunate than others should be more swayed to donate an amount greater than those individuals who are less fortunate, I do not believe they should be obligated to do so. If those individuals, who worked hard, and accumulated an extraordinary, amount of wealth, were forced to donate more than those who are less fortunate, the system itself would be incredibly flawed. Many people forget that many of those individuals who have accumulated vast amounts of wealth did so through running a successful business, which, in some instances, employs a great nu mber of people. When forcing such individuals to donate more, employee wages could be affected.In conclusion, while I do not agree with every point made by Mr. Peter Singer, I feel that helping underdeveloped nations is an essential aspect in developing peaceful relationships amongst nations. Furthermore, it is essential that citizens bear on in helping developing countries should not be forced to pay more than they can afford without reducing their standard of living. It is imperative that underdeveloped nations receive the help needed, but also the citizens contributing to those nations donate an amount that can be agreed upon.ReferencesThoren & Warner. The Truth in Money Book. mortification Falls Ohio, 1986Signer, Peter. Famine, Affluence, and Morality. Philosophy and Public Affairs1972