Living High and Letting Die

• DOI: 10.2307/2653467
• Publication Date: 2006-04-19T20:09:59Z
• Authors: Peter Singer; Peter Unger
• Keywords: 05 social sciences; 0506 political science

Living High and Letting Die is notable for two quite different achievements. The first a substantive ethical argument practical conclusion about our obligation not to let people die. Starting with the fact that relatively modest amounts of money, donated overseas aid agencies like UNICEF Oxfam, can save lives in developing countries who would otherwise die from preventable diseases, Unger contends giving (at least) these money seriously wrong. It is, he convincingly argues, no less wrong than other acts which we all intuitively regard as very bad indeed-for example, allowing runaway train kill child rather diverting it siding where be lost, but your cherished valuable vintage Bugatti destroyed. This clearly, utmost importance. If succeeds persuading change their behavior, will many lives. second achievement different. In course arguing already mentioned, confronts us wide variety examples, designed elicit intuitive responses morality options open agent each situation. After have considered offers explanations most them. These undermine any view takes decisive kind been considering. words, if right, ethicists should take specific situations determinative right situations. While ordinary intuitions sound, they shown reliable guide what ought do. this brief note I focus on achievements, because think more important first-obviously, terms, isn't-but considerable theoretical significance ethics, has received attention reviews book argument.