Peter Singer on Charity
Last summer, Prof. Rude and his family spent $2,000 to go on a vacation in Chile. Instead of booking the trip, he could have donated that money to a charity that likely would have saved a child’s life. According to Peter Singer, Prof. Rude did something morally wrong: he should have donated the money instead of going on vacation.
Part 1. Explain how Peter Singer would argue for this conclusion.
• In the process of explaining your argument, make sure to explain Singer’s Strong and Moderate Moral Principles.
Explain how the two principles differ by giving a case in which they issue
different verdicts (one principle says an action is wrong and another says an action is not wrong). And explain which of the two principles Singer’s argument depends on.
Part 2. Give one or two of the strongest objections you can think of against Peter Singer’s conclusion. How would Singer respond? Is the reply convincing?
• At least one of the objections you consider should be new – it should not be from the lecture.
