Main argument
Peter Singer’s core argument in ‘Famine, Affluence and Morality’ is as follows: “ if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it.”
Which ethical theory states that an action is right if and only if it produces the greatest balance of pleasure over pain for everyone quizlet?
What is Act Utilitarianism ? Act Utilitarianism states that a person’s act is only morally right if and only if it produces the best results in that specific situation.
Which rights are those that obligate others to not interfere with our obtaining something?
A person’s right that obligates others NOT to interfere with that person’s obtaining something is known as a: negative RIGHT !!! A person’s right that obligates others to help that person obtain something is called a: positive right.
Which of the following is defined as the view that moral standards are not applicable to war?
The view that moral standards are not applicable to war and that it must be judged only on how well it serves state interests is known as: realism . The view that war is never morally permissible is known as: pacifism.
What well known metaphor does Garrett Hardin utilize to argue that the rich should not help the poor?
In “Living on a Lifeboat “, Hardin argues that the affluent should not aid the poor and starving people of the world because doing so will only lead to disaster for everyone, rich and poor. ... He makes his case using several metaphors, the “lifeboat” being the most memorable.
Are the rich morally obligated to help the poor?
Many maintain that the citizens of rich nations have a moral obligation to aid poor nations. First, some have argued, all persons have a moral obligation to prevent harm when doing so would not cause comparable harm to themselves. ... Thus, they conclude, people in rich nations have a moral obligation to aid poor nations.
Does singer think there is a difference between charity and duty?
The prevalent definition of duty is something must be done, while charity is something good to do but not wrong not to do. Anything that is “social existence tolerable” with respect to certain society (Singer, 1972) is morally correct, and regarded as duty.
What is the primary problem with the Golden Rule?
According to Kant, what is the main problem with the golden rule? It makes morality depend on a person’s desires .
Who said the greatest good is pleasure and the greatest evil is pain?
Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832) was influenced both by Hobbes’ account of human nature and Hume’s account of social utility. He famously held that humans were ruled by two sovereign masters — pleasure and pain.
What is the difference between a selfish action and an altruistic action?
In the case of an altruistic action, the actor’s strongest desire is to do something else. In the case of a selfish action, the actor expects to benefit from the action . In the case of an altruistic action, the actor does not expect to benefit from the action.
Which of the following would be a utilitarian reason for limiting immigration?
Which of the following would be a utilitarian reason for limiting immigration? ... If high levels of immigration by low-skilled workers make it unlikely that we will fulfill our moral obligations to the poorest Americans , then we should reduce or stop such immigration.
What does the proportionality principle in the jus ad bellum part of the just war theory require?
What does the proportionality principle in the jus ad bellum part of the just war theory require? It requires that, before engaging in war or the use of force, we consider the likely costs and benefits of doing so , as opposed to choosing alternative courses of action (or no action).
What important historical event established the category of crime known as war crimes?
The formal concept of war crimes emerged from the codification of the customary international law that applied to warfare between sovereign states, such as the Lieber Code (1863) of the Union Army in the civil war of the United States , and the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 for international war.
What point is Hardin’s lifeboat metaphor trying to?
Hardin supports his argument by using the lifeboat metaphor while trying to convince the rich not to lend a helping hand to the poor . In the lifeboat metaphor Garrett Hardin uses the upper class and the lower class people to give us a visual of how the lifeboat scenario actually works.
What did Hardin mean when he said freedom to breed is intolerable?
Freedom To Breed Is Intolerable
If each human family were dependent only on its own resources ; if the children of improvident parents starved to death; if, thus, overbreeding brought its own “punishment” to the germ line – then there would be no public interest in controlling the breeding of families.
What is lifeboat ethics the case against helping the poor about?
Helping the Poor Garrett Hardin puts forward an argument against helping the poor from the essay “Lifeboat Ethics: The Case against Helping the Poor”. He argues that helping the poor cannot decrease population . ... By letting more people on the lifeboat than the boat can handle will drown everyone.
