Question 1

What is the strongest argument presented in this chapter that we have a moral obligation to provide aid to distant strangers? Explain the argument in your own words. What is the best available objection to this argument? Can that objection be satisfactorily responded to?

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Question 2

Explain in your own words the "fair share" objection to the Reduction of Suffering Argument. Does this objection refute the argument? Why or why not?

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Question 3

What is the strongest argument presented in this chapter for restrictive immigration policies? Explain the argument in your own words. What is the best available objection to this argument? Can that objection be satisfactorily responded to?

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Question 4

Do you agree that nations are morally required to give everyone an equal chance at a good life if their poor prospects are due to bad luck? Do individual people have a version of this obligation? Should it make a moral difference whether someone's poor prospects are due to luck? Defend your answer.

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Question 5

Compare and contrast the right to freedom of movement and the right to self-determination. What are reasonable limitations on these rights? Which one provides a stronger basis for an argument about immigration? Defend your answer.

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Question 6

According to Singer, the morality of an action depends on the

Accepted Answer

Singer argues that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences, particularly in terms of reducing overall suffering and improving overall well-being. The intentions and moral character of the person performing the action may be relevant factors, but they ultimately do not determine the morality of the action itself.

Question 7

Singer claims that refraining from giving money to charity is

Accepted Answer

Singer argues that there is a moral duty to prevent harm and suffering, and refraining from giving to charity means allowing people to continue to suffer and potentially die from preventable causes. Selling a child to organ peddlers is an extreme example of causing harm, but Singer argues that both actions involve a failure to prevent harm when we have the means to do so. Therefore, Singer believes that refraining from giving money to charity is just as bad as selling a child to organ peddlers.

Question 8

According to Singer, the case of Bob and the Bugatti shows that

Accepted Answer

Singer uses the case of Bob and the Bugatti to argue that people have a moral obligation to make large sacrifices for strangers in need, rather than only for their loved ones. Bob is placed in a situation where he can save the lives of five strangers by sacrificing the expensive car that he loves. Singer argues that it would be morally right for Bob to make this sacrifice, even though it would be a difficult decision. Therefore, Singer believes that people have a moral obligation to make sacrifices for strangers in need.

Question 9

On Singer's view, if many people do not give any money to charity,

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Question 10

According the Singer, which of the following is morally relevant?

Accepted Answer

According to Peter Singer, the moral relevance of an action does not depend on the physical distance between the person who can help and those in need, personal acquaintance with those in need, or the certainty of how aid is used. Instead, Singer emphasizes the importance of acting to reduce suffering regardless of these factors.

Question 11

Singer argues that since others aren't doing their fair share to alleviate poverty, you are

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Question 12

According to Singer, which is a morally relevant distinction between Bob and us?

Accepted Answer

Singer argues that there are no morally relevant distinctions between Bob's situation and our own when it comes to preventing harm to others, such as saving a child or alleviating poverty, despite differences in proximity, knowledge, or the number of people who can help.

Question 13

How much of our income does Singer think we are required to give away?

Accepted Answer

Singer argues that we are morally obligated to donate all of our income that we do not need for necessities to help those in extreme poverty. Therefore, choice C ("Everything that we don't spend on necessities") is the best answer.

Question 14

Which of the following objections to his theory does Singer not address?

Accepted Answer

Singer does not address the objection regarding the right to one's own property as a reason not to give to charity.

Question 15

Which of the following claims does Singer make about the moral situation of Bob?

Accepted Answer

Singer argues that almost all of us are in a situation similar to Bob's, where we have the opportunity to prevent harm or suffering to others but often choose not to due to the sacrifices involved.

Question 16

Write an essay discussing Singer's thought experiment involving Bob and the Bugatti. Describe the decision Bob faces and what Singer thinks Bob is obligated to do. Then, explain what conclusions Singer thinks we should draw from the thought experiment regarding our obligations to reduce poverty and suffering. Do you agree with Singer about this? Defend your answer.

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Question 17

Reconstruct, in valid form with numbered premises and conclusion, Singer's argument. What do you think is the strongest objection to this argument? How do you think Singer would reply to this objection? Do you think that the objection shows that Singer's theory is incorrect? Why or why not?

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Question 18

Write an essay critically assessing Singer's view about how much income people should give away. Present Singer's view and then describe what you think is the strongest objection to the view. Do you think the objection can be overcome? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

To involve someone in a scheme of action to which they could not in principle consent is to treat them

Accepted Answer

According to Kant, treating someone as a mere means is to use them for one's own ends without their consent or without proper consideration for their own autonomy and dignity. Therefore, involving someone in a scheme of action to which they could not in principle consent would be treating them as a mere means.

Question 20

O'Neill argues that Kantian moral theory forbids which of these actions in the context of famine?

Accepted Answer

According to O'Neill, Kantian moral theory forbids all of the above actions in the context of famine. Kant's ethical theory emphasizes the dignity and autonomy of individual human beings and requires that we treat others as ends in themselves, rather than merely as means to our own ends. Privatizing relief supplies or hoarding food would be treating others merely as means to our own ends, while coercing people into accepting sterilization would violate their autonomy and dignity.

Quiz 17: Globalization and Immigration