In Ron Suskind’s book, Hope in the Unseen, Suskind criticizes the Scripture Church, the church Cedric and Barbara attend, calling attention to Bishop Long and the corruption in the church. Bishop long is the head pastor if the scripture church raising it into what it is today; the large populace of the church are poor African Americans, however Bishop Long himself is a well of man being in possession of a “comfortable house in Mitchellville, Maryland”(148) quite foreign to his constituents who live in small houses or no house at all. Suskind is criticizing Bishop Long not giving the money back to the people in need but to only keep it for himself and profit while many of his pupils live without a dollar to spare. Often in Cedric’s life his mother, Barbara has given her last dollar to the church something that Bishop long has often requested of his flock saying that if you give your last dollar “Then, and only then, will you know what faith is all about.”(30).…
Hegel’s idea that the modern world of civil society is created through selfish ends and a system of complete interdependence is an idea that is shared with many other writers. Specifically, the 18th century writers of Steuart and Smith share Hagel’s point of view. Both Steuart and Smith believe self-interest is essential in explaining the creation of the modern world. They agree that when individuals peruse their selfish interests and in turn, become dependent in one another, and consequently create the modern economy. However, they differ in the nature of how these two principles interplay in economic activity (production and exchange).…
As men and women made the long, harrowing journey across the Atlantic to the unknown, unwelcoming lands of the New World, religion to many of these pioneers was the only means to find comfort and hope amid battering waves and wicked cases of seasickness. William Bradford and John Smith were no different: religion was their guiding light, both consciously and subconsciously, in their settling of the New World. Despite the differences in Bradford and Smith’s approaches to recounting their histories of settling, both Bradford and Smith demonstrate through their prose and dealings with the Native peoples that religion was the most important aspect in all of their decisions; and in turn illuminate religion to be of the greatest values of European…
Ronald J. Sider writes a compelling and thought-provoking book about affluent and wealthy Christians in a world that is getting increasing needy. One of his chapters covers the topic of economic relationships among God’s chosen people. After reading the chapter, I was surprised to see several differences among the Jerusalem church and the twenty-first-century church. I discovered that the early church was much more generous with their money and resources and this challenged me to think critically about my own personal wealth and how the community of wealthy believers are using their money. Sharing of money and wealth can be seen as early in the law but it wasn’t until Jesus’s time that the sharing really began and was lived out.…
In a society where “giving food to starving kids in Africa” has become almost a cliché, utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer makes the readers of The New York Times step back and reevaluate their spending choices in his 1999 essay “The Singer Solution to World Poverty”. Through a mixture of examples and facts Singer calls upon those with excess money, typically used on luxuries, to instead donate that money for overseas aid agencies. In order to persuade the reader to follow through with his solution, he utilizes anecdotes and facts, emotional statements, and an impression to communicate the importance of donating to these agencies. At the start of the article, Singer opens with an anecdote from the movie “Central Station”.…
Everyday millions of people around the world suffer in circumstances, in which they could die from lack of proper care and resources. In Famine, Affluence, and Morality, Peter Singer acknowledges this issue facing humanity and argues for the moral obligation to give large amounts of money to those in need. Singer believes that all who are able should be giving up many, if not all of their luxuries to help give the less fortunate their necessities. I will begin by summarizing the argument that Singer dictates in his article and then explain my reasoning for believing his notions to be sound and valid.…
The protestant further symbolizes a hypocritical religious figure, in the way that he preaches about charity but lacks the ability to help Candide or attempt to convert him to Christianity, as the bible suggests. Additionally, this chapter attempts to illustrate the misconception that all Christians are charitable and good natured. Modern American society reflects this concept, for it is commonly assumed that Christians are of a higher standard in the country than atheists or those who worship other religions. Although the Holy Bible does suggest that Christians live a charitable, devoting way of life, this does not conclude that others lack this ability. As Candide concludes, “the fruits of the earth are of common heritage” (Voltaire, 113), meaning that all humans are created equally and are just as capable of being selfish as they are of being generous, regardless of religious…
In his article, “The Life You Can Save,” Singer displays how many Americans have the means to send money to help those suffering from poverty and terrible living conditions, concluding that if a person does not donate thousands of dollars to aid agencies, they are doing something morally wrong. However, in objection to Singer’s arguments, John Arthur points out that if a person must do what creates the most good, then they are therefore morally wrong when not donating organs to other people, an illogical concept that contradicts Singer’s greater moral evil rule. While Singer may be able to rebut the objection points, he cannot deny the foundation of the objection, therefore rendering his argument invalid. One of the arguments that leads Singer…
In his essay, “Famine, Affluence, and Morality”, Peter Singer begins with the assumption that famine should be eradicated, based upon the generally wide held principle that the suffering created by lack of food is bad. He then sets up the general basis for his argument which is: “if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable importance, we ought, morally, to do it” (Singer 231). From this general idea, Singer outlines the reasons why it is a person’s moral duty to prevent famine and how a person should help alleviate famine, all of which can be backed by the theory of utilitarianism. Singer claims that a person has the duty morally to give in order to prevent something bad from occurring.…
The analogy of the measuring cup illustrates that it is difficult, if not impossible, to give or get more than your worth, as anything more overflows the limits of your cup. While we readily accept what we think we are equal to, anything more is refused, rejected, spilled, wasted or ignored. Though occasionally we are conscious of our self-imposed limits, it is usually not an act of conscience, but our consciousness, that keeps us from accepting more. Nevertheless, let us keep in mind the Psalmist’s insight: my cup runneth over. The cup of our giving is also the cup of our acceptance, and it is always over-flowing because there is always more available.…
In this paper, I will argue that people who should be considered to be altruistic are those who act magnanimously to those outside of their family or general social group. I will use examples such as kin selection, animal altruism, and arguments against psychological egoism to assist in proving my thesis to be true. I will also address a counter argument made by some psychological egoists who believe that due to most people feeling pleasure while doing good things for others, that there are no people only act selfishly. I will reference James Rachel ’s essay “Psychological Egoism” to help enhance my theory that not all acts must be out of self interest.…
To begin with, it won’t be that wrong to say that the idea of “ethics” or “morality” is the only thing that differentiate us (human) animals. Inasmuch as it is important to have a sound ethical system for the existence of a balanced and harmonised society, it is also no less important to acknowledge the fact that we cannot attain objective ethical values without a well defined reference point. Presuming the fallenness of creation, the ability of reason or human cognitive faculty to make ethical choices is severely marred. Therefore, reason cannot be the point of reference if we are to achieve lasting ethical values that would guide us in making sound ethical judgments. It has to come from somewhere (or someone) else that transcends reason and…
(Kar Yong, 2013). Giving to the poor is love in action and authenticates the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s vision that everyone has a right to a fair share so that no one has needs is especially timely today. Christian generosity requires relative proportional giving to authenticate the gospel of Jesus Christ as love in…
What is a human life worth? Some may say it is worth millions of dollars no matter what. Others might argue that a human’s worth is dependant on who they are, where they came from and what they can do. In Peter Singer’s Article “What Should a Billionaire Give?” he states that many people would be reluctant to even consider putting a fixed rate. It would be unethical to do so, however, he continues with “If we really had to, most of us would agree that the value of human life would be in the millions.”…
In the “The Phenomenology of Gift Giving”, Helmuth Berking (1999), the author, explores the causes and mechanisms of gift – giving as a social practice. He maintains that the gift – giving is an essential part of reciprocal communication between individuals. Berking also suggests that both the gift and reciprocation to it corresponds to the established structure and character of human relations in a community. Berking (1999) starts by pointing out that gift – giving as a practice transferred from a political and economic sphere into the area of personal relations.…