Uncomfortable Ethical Implications
In an affluent society, it’s often hard to draw the line between what we want and what we need. Popular culture celebrates materialism and excessive consumption as essential signs of success and power. Whole industries exist to persuade us that things we want are actually things we need — or, at least, things we deserve — to make our lives more convenient, or more efficient, or more fulfilling. The message all around seems clear: wants are needs, and the more the better.
In The Life You Can Save, Peter Singer asks us to challenge these widespread cultural assumptions and grapple with the uncomfortable ethical implications of excessive materialism in a world where so many live in extreme poverty. He also acknowledges how difficult — even unnatural — it can feel to ultimately reject materialism and embrace the idea of effective altruism. As Professor Singer argues in The Life You Can Save: “Faced with an ethical argument that requires us to give away much of our income, we might ask whether there is any point to a standard that cuts so strongly against the grain of human nature that virtually no one follows it. Over many years of talking and writing about this subject, I have found that for some people, striving for a high moral standard pushes them in the right direction, even if they do not reach that standard.”
How Much Should I Give? A Realistic Standard
Although we would be thrilled if everyone chose to live on essentials alone and donate the rest of their income to effective nonprofits, we recognize that this lifestyle choice is unlikely for many people. That’s why Professor Singer proposes an easier target with the hope of the greatest possible positive response: roughly 5% annual income for the financially comfortable, with less for those below that level, and significantly more for the very rich. As Professor Singer explains in The Life You Can Save:<> “My hope is that people will be convinced that they can and should give at these levels. I believe that doing so would be a first step toward restoring the ethical importance of giving as an essential component of a well-lived life. And if it is widely adopted, we’ll have more than enough money to end extreme poverty.”
Whatever level of giving you choose, let’s all work to achieve our personal best and pool our resources to help lift others out of poverty. If you aren’t sure where to start, we recommend our Maximize Your Impact Fund. |
