The author of the article is trying to define the moral responsibility of every individual in society with regard to giving relief and alleviating suffering. He uses the case of refugees in Bengal, India. The refugees are experiencing an emergency that has gone unnoticed by many individuals. The relief they have received is not enough to alleviate their suffering.
The author’s argument is that it is necessary for the society to change its way of responding to the problems of needy people. The thesis of the article states that it is everyone’s moral responsibility to prevent suffering and offer assistance without sacrificing anything of equal moral importance.
The author starts by stating that it is wrong for people to die from lack of basic human needs including food and shelter, as well as medical services. Singer talks of the importance of morality in society and uses the case of refugees in Bengal to present his ideas and arguments. He argues that people have a moral responsibility to prevent bad occurrences. Morality does not choose the type of person to help or their geographical location.
In addition, distance should not be a hindrance. He argues that the geographical location of needy people should not be a reason to deny relief to the needy. The problem of distance has been overcome by globalization. Singer explores the issue of numbers and obligation, and their relationship to morality. According to him, it is immoral for anyone to refuse to help because other people are not doing it. It is an individual obligation to help and not a communal obligation.
Singer argues that individuals should offer as much help as they can without causing suffering to themselves or their families. It is important for people to offer help as long as they do not expose themselves to suffering. He demonstrates the effect of communal perception on people’s willingness to help. Many people give relief because others do it.
However, if others fail to do it, they also refrain from giving relief. This way of looking at moral responsibility is flawed. Singer talks about distance and moral obligation with regard to offering assistance to the needy. According to him, it is morally right to offer assistance only if it does not involve any immoral act.
The author argues that there is a thin line between duty and charity. According to Singer, it is everyone’s duty to prevent unfavorable events from happening. He finds it necessary to redefine charity and duty. For example, he argues it is everyone’s duty to prevent unfavorable events.
Offering assistance should not be optional but a moral obligation. He adds that it is important to develop a universal moral code that defines the moral duties of people in society. Offering help and preventing bad things from happening regardless of culture or geographical location should be a universal moral responsibility.
He cites reasons why people fail to give relief. Many people consider relief as a responsibility of the ruling government. In addition, many people consider it as a way of postponing a problem instead of finding a lasting solution. However, he argues that these reasons should not stop people from giving relief. Singer says that people should focus their energies on helping to alleviate suffering so that such problems are not experienced in future.