Every so often, a book comes along that really invites one to step back and reevaluates his values and lifestyle. This is the case with The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty by Peter Singer (New York, Random House, 2009).
The book points out that most people would do almost anything to safe a child’s life if the eminent risk is right in front of them. It then ponders why most people do not do anything about the 27,000 children that die of poverty daily. Is there a moral obligation to human beings that are geographically far removed from us? If so, why do we not feel the human connection we feel for those who are right in front of us? And is there an effective way to help needy people on the other side of the world?
These are just some of the issues The Life You Can Save: Acting now to end world poverty discusses with incredible simplicity, clarity, rigor and passion. Philosopher Peter Singer walks us through the subtleties of the moral arguments of this issue, and provides very practical and action-oriented advice. How to find an effective and efficient charity? How much does it cost to save a life in Africa? Should we tell people about our donations or should we keep it to ourselves? What is more effective?
I highly recommend this little book to anyone who struggles to find out what they can do to help the world become a more equitable and just place, free of extreme poverty. It also helps to provide good reasons to take action and to talk to others about it.
Check out the book’s website if you have a moment. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Tags: eco friendly