The Singer Solution to World Poverty free essay sample

Poverty is an issue that faces us every single day, and will not go away with time. There is a lot of poverty in the world, but there are some countries that the level of poverty is higher such as Haiti, Africa, and Nigeria. It is terrible how there is thousands of people out there who need from our help. Poverty is the children down the street who go to bed hungry each night. Poverty is my neighbor who had her heat shut off this past winter, but Poverty is preventable. In the Article â€Å"The Singer Solution to World Poverty† the author Singer argues that there is no reason why Americans don’t donate money if they can afford countless of luxuries that are not essential to their lives and health. Singer’s solution is suggesting every America to stop using money to buy anything that they do not need and donate the saved money to all kinds of charities. We will write a custom essay sample on The Singer Solution to World Poverty or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I believe that Singer’s plan is a great idea and should come into effect as soon as possible. The Singer Solution to World Poverty† addresses the urgency for a more generous world. Peter Singer presents lots of valid points within his work to the manner that incite one to question his morals and ethics. He states the gift of donation in an eccentric but motivating way. The purpose of â€Å"The Singer Solution to World Poverty† is to encourage the reader to change his aspect and consider the idea that he can contribute to those impoverished people of the world. In other words, Singer is writing to any person with the ability to donate. In this passage, he makes it clear that everyone has the opportunity to make a difference is other’s lives. And the facts that he uses are very connected to the way of a person’ thinking; making his arguments connect on a personal level. With the author and reader connected on a personal level, Singer’s arguments have a stronger effect. Singer asserts thatâ€Å"$200 in donations would help a sickly 2-year-old transform into a healthy 6-year-old†. He later calls the reader to action by saying, â€Å"I trust many readers will reach for the phone and donate that $200. Perhaps you should do it before reading further†, Singer tries to make the readers feel guilty if they were to continue reading without donating. He evokes his message to the audience in an effective and well planned out manor. Singer’s motive of wiring his piece of reading was to inform the reader of the importance and effect of donating to organizations; and, to persuade him to act upon it. He believes that luxuries are exactly that, a luxury. Singer’s examples are very convincing and persuades the reader to act upon the children’ poverty problem. Although Singer’s points are considered to be unrealistic, people should be more aware of poverty and take actions against them. Singer notes â€Å"Dora delivers the boy, gets the money, spends some of it on a television set and settles down to enjoy her new acquisition†. In other words, Singer expresses that people give more value to a TV (objects) than a child’ life. This argument is effective because unfortunately is part of our reality, from 100 artists 15 care about poor children lives. Bob’s situation is a typical example. Singer argues that â€Å"Thinking of his joy in owning the car and the financial security it presents, Bob decides not to throw the switch†. In other words, he chose to keep his car for the financial security retirements to the rest of his life instead throw a switch that will divert the train down where his car is parked to save child’s life. I strongly agree with Singer’ argument because we too have opportunities to save the lives of children, and Bob’ example explain one of the causes for the continuing of Poverty. Indeed, the people of society must be the first to embrace the sacrifice to help the poor, but money does not have to be all the help. The â€Å"rich†, or rather those that are not poor may be willing to help in other ways that simply giving away money and Peter â€Å"Singer’s solution to World Poverty† has good motivations. Also, those that think that they shouldnt work hard and give their money away because it is not right must not have been through poverty. As a society we have to think in what position those children are the desire they have to eat, to go to school, to have their toys and make an effort to save the millions of hungry lives. In fact, Americans should save the money they use to purchase material things that they don’t require and donate it to all those homeless children. The Singer Solution To World Poverty free essay sample â€Å"The Singer Solution to World Poverty,† philosopher Peter Singer addresses the issue of poverty by suggesting Americans give away most of their income to aid those in need. Singer believes that withholding income is the equivalence of letting a child starve to death. Therefore, Singer suggests the ethical thing to do to end world hunger is to give up everyday luxuries. Although donating a vast amount of money could help dying and starving children, Singer’s proposition is not only unrealistic but also too demanding for everyday Americans who have responsibilities of their own. Singer begins his essay with Dora, a schoolteacher, who sells an orphan awaiting to have his organs sold in a black market for a new television set. Eventually, Dora regrets her immoral decision and rescues the boy from his fate. Singer compares this act to Americans, who spend their income on food, clothes and vacations by suggesting that the money spent could have made a â€Å"difference between life and death for children in need† (327). We will write a custom essay sample on The Singer Solution To World Poverty or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Singer goes on to compare how the situations are similar, pointing out that the only difference is ignoring an issue that isn’t in your presence and one that is. Singer continues by calling himself a â€Å"utilitarian philosopher† and defines his character by stating that he judges acts by their consequences (327). Singer then introduces Bob and his expensive Buggati. Bob chooses to save his car from a train even though he could have saved a child’s life by destroying his prized possession, and compares this story to Americans and their lack of donations. Singer concludes with comparing income and how much a person should give away based on that number. He suggests all Americans have the choice to give up all luxuries because these sacrifices could better a child’s life. Singer targets all Americans in his essay, implying everyone needs to help. He begins with saying that two hundred dollars is enough to make a difference for a child, to declaring the only solution is to give up all luxuries. Singer uses Bob and Dora, two individuals who chose money and objects over children, and compares them to his audience. He even goes as far as to compare the lack of help Americans give starving children in Africa to Nazi Germany and those who did nothing to stop the Third Reich. He bases his logic on what the moral thing to do is. Singer attempts to guilt trip his readers by giving examples of life and death situations, in which lay in the hands of immoral people. Although Singer does mean well and wants to make a difference for those whose lives are at risk, his solution to is too demanding for everyday people and his authoritative deliverance in not very persuasive. Furthermore, Singer not only expects too much, but doesn’t realize luxuries and necessities mean different things to different people. Singer overwhelms the reader by stating one number to expecting a lot more. Singer fails to mention how much people struggle in America alone. Sure, it would be great to end world hunger, but what about giving to those in need in the US? According to Unicef, the United States has the second highest population of child poverty in the list of developed countries, (Unicef). Although it would be wonderful to be able to help all in need, sometimes it isn’t possible when Americans are struggling themselves to pay bills and raise their own. In conclusion, although Singer does have a good meaning behind his essay, he fails to persuade his audience by being too demanding. Although poverty is in fact an issue, he uses mostly exaggerated examples and guilt trips his readers by comparing them to Nazis and leads them to feel bad about themselves. Not everyone is able to help due to their own financial responsibilities, and it’s unrealistic people will give up most of their income for strangers in other countries. Despite his tone, I do believe the only way to overcome world issues it to work together, but unfortunately I don’t think Singer’s solution is a realistic solution to world poverty.