The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer
The Life You Can Save by Peter Singer is a book explaining that current response to world poverty is lacking and weak, but not out of reach. (Singer) He argues that we need to change our views of what is involved in living a moral life. Throughout the book, Peter proposes ways to save money and donate it to reliable charities. He offers a seven-point plan that mixes personal philanthropy, local activism, and political awareness to help us play our part in bringing about change. In response to this book, some people have taken Singer’s advice and followed his plan to helping end world poverty, while others have criticized him and exclaimed that it is not his place to tell people what to do. I argue that Singer’s seven-point plan shows the rational side of human thought and exposes the reality of peoples’ generosity.
Throughout the book, Peter Singer makes many logical arguments that show that most people can afford to follow Singer’s advice intellectually. A main point in Singer’s book is the psychology of giving and not giving. Singer states that citizens of richer nations do not donate as much as they could.
“The author says the reasons for that are not philosophical, but psychological considerations, including cognitive dissonance, distribution of responsibility and the evolutionary history of human ancestors. According to Singer, the cognitive dissonance theory predicts that humans are rationalizing creatures. It is difficult to change our minds onto subjects that tend to worry us; unless we are so motivated to do it that we push through the anxiety of the situation.” (Singer)
In line with Singer’s argument, I have experienced mental indifference in major life decisions. When I strongly support my decision, it is very hard to get me to change my mind; the hook. Through this particular discussion about why people do not donate as much, Singer also exposes that sometimes people cannot donate as much because they are...