I thought that it was very clever how Singer somewhat trapped the reader after the part about Bob's hypothetical situation. I was thinking, yeah, this Bob character is a real selfish person, sacrificing a child for his Italian stallion. All of sudden as I read on, I was now Bob, by property of substitution.
"In all these respects, Bob's situation resembles that of people able but unwilling to donate to overseas aid and differs from Dora's situation." Singer's Essay.
I wasn't angry at Singer by comparing the people in this able, but unwilling situation to Bob, although I think that it is a little bit of a stretch to really compare the two. Which now leads me onto another subject. When Singer had said that certain things as in vacations, new stylish clothes, and going to restaurants were unnecessary, I felt I disagreed a little. Life is demanding, and progresses to new heights everyday. I believe some luxuries can help ease things like stress, and make recoveries smoother. Mentally you need to be in shape as much as you are physically. I need to be careful not to say that these luxuries are worth children's lives, but I am just trying reason out these harsh comparisons.
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2 comments:
I agree with you when you say we need some luxuries in life. We shouldn't have to give up OUR lives to save the lives of others. I'm not trying to be selfish, but there's a certain point where you might be giving a bit too much and expecting too much of yourself because there's a lot more people in the world who can donate too.
"I was thinking, yeah, this Bob character is a real selfish person, sacrificing a child for his Italian stallion."
I got trapped too. And the "Italian stallion" part made me laugh.
I agree with the part about how you need to be as mentally in shape as you are physically because they are really intertied with each other. Depression leaves your immune system very vulnerable. And these luxeries are not worth a child's life, but there not causing a child to die. By letting the train run over the child, Bob could be prosecuted for manslaughter, but can we, as well-off Americans, be prosecuted for the same? No. Are we responsible for those child's lives overseas? No, we're not. We're only responsible for one person, ourselves. I never got the impression that you were suggesting that the luxeries were worth a child's life.
Interesting response though. :)
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