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Essay / Singer's Solution to Global Poverty: A Time to Live and a Time to Give
What is the solution to global poverty? Australian philosopher Peter Singer thinks he has the answer. In his essay "The Singer Solution to Global Poverty," Singer argues that we are all morally wrong if we do not do everything in our power to save the lives of those living in poverty, which would force some to give more. more than half of our income. Peter Singer is right that people don't give enough to the poor; However, his ideas on how to end world poverty are too extreme, and rather than focusing on showing love and building connections, he urges us to donate to free ourselves from guilt. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Peter Singer, in his essay, addresses the crucial question that more people can make a difference and save lives, but they are falling short. Rather than giving $200 or even $20 to “help a sick two-year-old turn into a healthy six-year-old,” most people spend their excess wealth on unnecessary luxuries (Singer 875). Money that could have been donated to save someone's life goes towards new games or new clothes. Social media constantly pushes us to buy more things to please ourselves, feel better, or simply “live better.” These items clutter up homes and are never used again. There is not enough promotion to help others in need. The idea that we can use our money to save a life instead of constantly helping ourselves is a good idea to remember when making a purchase. We need to draw the line between what is useful and what is just waste that can be done without. Jesus, in the Bible, spoke many times about how our finances should be spent. He states that we should store our “treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin will not destroy them, and where thieves will not break in and steal.” For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). We should spend our money on things that matter and have a lasting effect. Our heart follows our money, so let's invest our money in the right places. Apart from offering financial assistance to those who need it, we should never forget to sacrifice our time and try daily to help someone in their life. We can do more than we think. Although it's easy to get caught up in our daily worries, sometimes we need to stop and take a look at the people around us. We get so involved that we forget the effect we can have on the lives of others. When we finally see how much we can help, our hearts will open easily, as will our wallets. Small actions at the local level in our communities can go a long way. The time we spend with a child or elderly person can be a great inspiration. Items that are of little or no use to us can be donated to those who need them, such as the homeless or those suffering financially. Small sacrifices can make an impact and perhaps save lives. Although Peter Singer makes a vital argument, his ideas on how to solve global poverty are impossible and should not be taken literally. This should only motivate us to do more and not squander all our excess money. We live in an industrialized country and, although$30,000 only covers our “basic needs” for a year, we depend on much more than the necessities to truly live and enjoy life as God created it (Singer 879). There is more to life than being able to breathe and carry on. It's about being able to thrive, achieve dreams, and find joy through the beauty and deeper meaning of life. Finding our interests, hobbies, goals, and talents is what makes us unique. This is how God created us, and we shouldn't have to give up the joys of life to impact someone else's life. Singer gave the example of going out to eat with our partner as an unnecessary luxury. While it's good to sometimes make better use of our money, we shouldn't deprive ourselves of a little luxury every now and then. We shouldn't feel guilty for trying to enjoy a meal, while building our relationship with our partner, or anyone else for that matter. In addition to the emotional benefit, the money we spend on the meal supports the business and the economy in the long term. The restaurant creates jobs that support employees and their families. Additionally, the ability to create exquisite dishes supports one's culinary dreams and zest for life. Our money is what sustains businesses and strengthens the economy. It draws attention to an innovative art or idea, and that’s what makes our country strong. Let's look at the Great Depression or any recession we've had. The lack of money circulating has consequences on the economy. The less money we have to spend, the more businesses close their doors. Unemployment is increasing and people are falling into poverty and barely making ends meet. We will not be of much help to the people of other countries if we face our own financial crisis. However, we must spend our income wisely so that we can bring about a renaissance of ideas and actions, both through other organizations and within our own families. Our excess money goes to supporting our family and our own well-being. Buying gifts for our family is a way of showing that we love and care for them. We save money for our future and theirs. We work hard to provide our families with as comfortable and stress-free a life as possible. It is the culmination of the American dream. Money and luxury motivate us to work hard. Why should we strive for a raise or promotion in our position, even if only to end up with the same amount of money in our pockets? Additionally, our excess money supports our health. Usually, the more money you have, the better you live and the better your health. The extra money goes toward the right kinds of foods, healthy hobbies, or fitness classes, and it also allows us to buy the equipment and time needed to give our bodies a little extra care and attention. Our extra money should be used to show love to ourselves, our family, and others. Helping people in third world countries is essential; However, Peter Singer never mentions the most important reason why we should help another human being. We should do it out of love. Caring for others brings us closer together. But should we only show our love to those in other countries? Connecting with people through love is the same whether it is with our next door neighbor or with a child in Bangladesh. Our families and friends come first, because if we don't show them the love and attention they need, the fact that we donated money to an organization.