Singer Famine, Affluence, and Morality
Singer wrote his essay in response to a humanitarian crisis in this South Asian country in 1971.
What is Bangladesh?
Singer’s moral reasoning is often associated with this ethical theory focused on maximizing happiness or well-being.
What is utilitarianism?
Timmerman’s essay directly responds to Singer’s claim that we are morally obligated to donate until we reach what point?
What is the point of marginal utility?
Singer says morality demands extreme giving; Timmerman says morality should allow for some level of this human experience.
What is personal or self-care?
Singer argues that if we can prevent something bad from happening without sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we are morally _______ to do so.
What is obligated?
Singer believes that we should donate until we reach this point—when giving more would cause comparable harm to ourselves.
What is the point of marginal utility?
Timmerman argues that Singer’s demands are too _______ for most people to realistically follow.
What is demanding?
Singer’s view is sometimes labeled as this type of moral standard that requires the maximum moral effort.
What is moral perfectionism?
Singer uses the example of a child drowning in a shallow pond to show that moral distance is _______.
What is morally insignificant?
Singer’s argument implies that moral obligation does not depend on this factor—often used to justify inaction.
What is proximity distance?
Timmerman introduces the concept of a thought experiment where a person must save people repeatedly until exhaustion, known as the _______ case.
What is the Samaritan fatigue case?
Timmerman thinks Singer overlooks the psychological and social factors that lead to moral _______.
What is burnout?
Singer challenges this traditional moral distinction, claiming it’s not significant when lives are at stake.
What is the distinction between duty and charity?
Singer criticizes people for spending money on luxuries when they could instead prevent this.
What is lack of food?
Timmerman claims Singer’s argument fails to account for the importance of maintaining this aspect of life for moral agents.
What is personal well-being?
Singer argues that failing to donate when you can is morally equivalent to letting someone die. Timmerman argues that this analogy breaks down because of what?
What is repetition?
Singer’s argument implies that most people in affluent societies fail to meet even the minimum standards of _______ behavior.
What is morality?
Singer believes morality should be judged by the outcome, not the intention, making him a _______ ethicist.
What is consequentialist?
Ultimately, Timmerman argues that while we should help others, morality must remain _______ achievable for ordinary people.
What is practically?
Together, Singer and Timmerman’s debate raises this central question: How much are we morally required to sacrifice for others?
What is the demandingness of morality?