Miles Brooke Mark Chua

1. 3. Common Objections to Giving Miles Brooke Mark Chua

2. Chapter 3 focuses on the common objections as to why people refrain from donating to the poor, and refutes these objections using analytical and factual data. This chapter concerns the myths and truths of philanthropy’s social, economic and political effect on society. In this chapter Singer advocates the belief that industrialized nations, specifically America, can do more to help the poor. Summary

3. Major Arguments : Arguments Refuted : 1) Reject moral relativism 2) Right to do vs. Should do 3) Indirect harm 4) America needs to help more 5) Self establishment 6) The better deal 1)Own beliefs 2) Freedom to spend 3) Frontier mentality 4) U.S. already giving 5) Giving breeds dependency 6) No new wealth Major Arguments and Arguments Refuted

4. Charitable giving in the U.S. is around 2.2% of gross national income. That’s more than any other country. • The largest portion of the money Americans give (one third) goes to religious institutions, where it pays for the salaries of the clergy and for the maintenance of the buildings. • U.S. private philanthropy for foreign aid amounts to only 0.07% of the nation’s gross national income. Facts

5. “If someone wants to buy a new car, they should. If someone wants to redecorate their house, they should, and if they need a suit, get it. They work for their money and they have the right to spend it on themselves.” “Having a right to do something doesn’t settle the question of what you should do.” “You leave me alone, and I’ll leave you alone, and we’ll get along just fine.” “Philanthropic responses undermine real political change.” “Giving people money or food breeds dependency.” quotes

6. Are we obliged to give money to charity? What reasons, if any, can validate not giving to charity? Why? Question from the chapter: You’ve worked hard to get where you are now, so haven’t you earned a right to enjoy it? Discussion questions