Homework on "Famine, Affluence, and Morality" by Peter Singer

You will probably have to read the entire paper before answering these questions. What you turn in does not need to include the questions; just put the answers (and, of course, number them). Make sure you answer every part of every question (i.e. if a question has parts a and b, answer both of them). Your answers should be a sentence or less (except as otherwise specified).



1. This question will require some research on your part; your answers should be based on facts that you gathered from a reliable source (or sources).

a. Are there any situations in the world today that are similar to the situation in Bengal that Peter Singer describes in the beginning of his paper?

b. If so, where is such a situation occurring (give just one example)?

c. How many people are at risk in this situation? Please be as specific as possible ("lots" is not a very good answer).

d. How much aid is the United States giving? Please be as specific as possible (again, "lots" is not a very good answer).

e. Where did you get this information?



2. In paragraph 6, Singer says "If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing something of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it." He later says (still paragraph 6), "If it is in our power to prevent something very bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything morally significant, we ought, morally, to do it." When Singer says "we ought, morally, to do it," which one of the following does he mean (choose at least one of the following choices, although you may pick more than one, and say in what paragraph you got your answer(s) from):

..........It would be good to do it

..........It would be bad not to do it

..........It would be right to do it

..........It would be wrong not to do it

..........It is what a good person would do



3. In paragraph 15, Singer talks about "duty" versus "charity." Put your answers to part a and b in the following forms: "If something is a duty, then..." and "If something is an act of charity, then..." In the "then" part of your answers, use at least one of the following terms: good, bad, right, wrong.

a. What does Singer mean when he says something is an act of charity?

b. What does Singer mean when he says something is your duty?



4. In paragraph 10, Singer discusses an argument for the view that "I have no obligation to give more than $5."

a. Is this Singer's view?

b. Does Singer think that the premises this argument is based on reflect the actual situation in the world? Why or why not?



5. a. Does Singer think any one person can end all the famine that is going on today?

b. If not, then what does Singer think you, as an individual, ought to do about famine?

c. What bad things will you prevent by doing this?