StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This essay "What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You?" supports the “fair share” theory as introduced by Peter Singer, and further proofs how the theory advocates allocation of standards for the rich aiming at remedying human rights disaster worldwide…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.8% of users find it useful
What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You"

What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You? In this article, Peter Singer brings out the theories governing philanthropy in society. People give under a compulsion from inside. Some are truly altruistic and their happiness depends on that of others. However, it is critical that we establish how much each individual should do in relieving the pain of others. Some critics argue that the rich should give more because they live in extreme affluence. Others argue that each individual should carry a fair share of the burden of relieving the suffering of others (267).

A fair share system demands that each individual carry part of the burden. Therefore, this paper supports the “fair share” theory as introduced by Peter Singer, and further proofs how the theory advocates allocation of standards for the rich aiming at remedying human rights disaster worldwide. Supporters of the fair share theory like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett advocate for sharing of the global burden of poverty among the rich (267). Each individual should contribute the fair amount derived by this calculation.

It is an obligation for all people to commit in taking responsibility to carry their part of the burden. According to Peter’s article, the fair share theory is an effective strategy to eradicate poverty (268). If the rich and super rich in U.S contribute their fair share, then that would make more than what is needed. The fair share system would oblige the rich to give the largest contribution (269). This theory is desirable and does not exert unnecessary pressure on any member in society. The fair share theory has its backing from the social contract theory.

In the social contract theory, each individual in society is under obligation to contribute fairly for the interests of society. People applying this theory live in agreement with each other. In this theory, a society can only be successful if people follow rules for mutual benefit. This is the basis of the fair share theory. People obeying the social contract theory pursue good as they define it in their own terms. Thus is evident in the story of Thomas Hobbes, an English Philosopher who argued that individuals act in their own interests (269).

People who are not doing their part face condemnation. Singer illustrates this case in the analogy of the drowning children. The illustration proofs that there are people who did their fair share by saving a child each. Others preferred to stay dry and neglected their obligation. Obviously, those neglecting responsibility deserve condemnation. Singer disagrees with supporters of the fair share theory. He argues that it will place limitations in philanthropy. In situations where some individuals do not carry their share of the burden, the system loses efficiency.

Neglecting responsibility will discourage the rest because efforts from a few people cannot cover up for the irresponsibility of many. In such cases, society loses because nobody carries the burden anymore. Sometimes, circumstances compel people to contribute more than their fair share. The fair share should not limit those who can give more. It is important for all people to take responsibility to relieve the suffering of others. It is unethical to leave others suffer simply because an individual stops at the fair share.

Humanity should drive us to help others (271). However, since contracts have become part of the society people live in, individuals should not live in accordance to their conviction as long as they disrupt the overall happiness of other people for it will be against the utilitarianism ethical theory. This means that if we have the potential of helping, it is unethical to sit and watch them suffer. Each individual should target to contribute fairly in relieving the suffering of others and making them happy.

If everybody does enough, poverty and suffering will be history. Work Cited Peter, Singer. What Should a Billionaire Give- and What Should you? The New York Times. 266-280. Print.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1585065-what-should-a-billionaire-give-and-what-should-you
(What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You Essay)
https://studentshare.org/psychology/1585065-what-should-a-billionaire-give-and-what-should-you.
“What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1585065-what-should-a-billionaire-give-and-what-should-you.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF What Should a Billionaire Give and What Should You

Sms And Win Promotion: Become A Millionare With Americatel Now

SMS & WIN Promotion is giving you a chance to win $1 Million and other amazing cash prices daily.... Even better, you could hit the jackpot and be our grand prize winner of $ 5 Million.... you will then be sent a series of questions.... Each correct answer will earn you points....
3 Pages (750 words) Assignment

How to Become a Billionaire

The paper “How to Become a billionaire” leads the optimistic dynamics of increasing the number of rich Americans - more than tenfold over 3 decades and gives half-laugh tips how to become one of them: invest at high-interest rates, make bold inventions, surround yourself with the rich etc.... But can an ordinary person like Dick, Sam or Harry become a billionaire.... Invent something outrageous but useful like a technological gadget shown in Star Trek – the teleporter, to bring you anywhere, anytime; Innovate on current discoveries such as making it possible to bring out actual products from a futuristic iPhone or iPad, like a steaming hot coffee from Starbucks or another iPhone since the last version already got outdated....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Lab Assignments

Budgeting is spending less than what you have planned on both the long and the short terms.... My tactical plans includes coming with ideas of how I will start my income generating business, where I will get the finances to start up the business, I am also thinking of what methods I will use to ensure the continuity of my education (Needles, Powers & Crosson, 2011)....
3 Pages (750 words) Assignment

Automatic Millionaire Issues

His work is also unique form most other works that… Unlike most others, Bach does not advocate for making more money but using what you have smartly.... Unlike most others, Bach does not advocate for making more money but using what you have smartly.... He backs his claims with figures and calculations that prove his theory in a very simple, straightforward manner....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Slumdog Millionaire

It turns out that all the answers were hidden in the life that Jamal has led; different events in his life give him the answers.... The following paper “Slumdog Millionaire” analyzes one of the biggest hits of the year 2008.... It is an entertainment packed, twisted plot of a boy named Jamal....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

The Success of the Game Shows

This case study "The Success of the Game Shows" analyzes why the organizers and planners of game shows consider the format of who wants to be a millionaire as the most attractive and profit-oriented format for a game show.... nbsp;… People are attracted to such format because they find it the opportunity not only to test their general knowledge and luck but also to earn a good amount of money within no time....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study

My Imagination about Billionaires

The writer of this essay considers a perception of a billionaire so all rich people of the world have been his source of imagination.... As per my imagination, a billionaire was a very extraordinary creature.... The pocket… yes… I used to picture the pocket of a billionaire as large as the Empire State building with huge space in it....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

Great Gatsby - Film Adaptation

The essay "Great Gatsby" investigates the adaptation of the eponymous novel, written by F.... Scott Fitzgerald.... The central theme touched upon in history, the purposelessness of the being of the upper class and the American dream decline in the 1920s.... Viewers can interpret the film in different ways....
6 Pages (1500 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us