Famine, Affluence and Morality
Affluent persons refusing to give money to relief aid is unacceptable.
The argument put forth by humanitarian thinker Singer follows something like this:
- If we can prevent something bad from happening, without significant sacrifice, then we should do it.
- Famine, disease and suffering are bad things.
- Luxuries that we spend money on are not of significance.
- By donating money to relief aid, we could prevent famine, disease and suffering.
Therefore, we must donate the money we spend on luxuries to relief aid. It is morally wrong not to do so.