Theoretical Ethical Dilemma

Of the two philosophers Peter Singer and Onora Nell, only Singer directly addresses the question of the "child in the lake," and even then in terms far more simple than set forth by Murphy, but we may make a number of assumptions about the likely responses of Singer and Nell by examining their views on the question of the individual's ethical responsibility for starving people. It will be the fundamental argument of this study that Singer's l

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Singer in the first place takes for granted a point which Nell take much time and space arguing: "I begin with the assumption that suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care are bad. . . . Those who disagree need read no further" (Singer 23b). Nell, on the other hand, approaches the question in the context of an individual's "right not to be killed and a corresponding duty not to kill." However, "even if persons have no rights other than a right not to be killed, this right can justifiably be overridden in certain circumstances" (Nell 30b). Nell spends much time and effort convincing the reader that these special considerations do not apply to the case of the starving person and the person who has the ability to try to save that starving person. Singer, on the other hand, simply begins by assuming that (1) the suffering and death of starving people are undesirable, and (2) those who are able to try to save suffering and dying people are morally obliged to do so: If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it. . . . This principle . . . requires us only to prevent what is bad, and not to promote
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Approximate Word count = 1654
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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