Does the US Spend Too Much on Foreign Aid? - Peter Singer

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/03/02/Peter_Singer_The_Life_You_Can_Save

Philosopher Peter Singer examines differences between Americans' perceptions of how much money their government spends on foreign aid, versus the actual budgeted amounts.

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In The Life You Can Save, philosopher Peter Singer, named one of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time magazine, uses ethical arguments, provocative thought experiments, illuminating examples, and case studies of charitable giving to show that our current minimal response to world poverty is ethically indefensible.

He argues that for the first time in history we're in a position to end extreme poverty throughout the world -- both because of our unprecedented wealth and our advances in technology.

Offering some unconventional thoughts about the ordinary Americans' obligations to the world's poor, Singer presents not only a plan on how much to give, but how to give, and to which organizations. He makes an irrefutable argument that will make a huge difference in the lives of others, without diminishing the quality of our own lives, and concludes there are no valid excuses left for not giving (or giving more).

His book is an urgent call to action and a hopeful primer on the power of compassion, when mixed with rigorous investigation and careful reasoning, to lift others out of despair. - Berkeley Arts and Letters

Author of In The Life You Can Save, philosopher Peter Singer was named one of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time magazine. Peter Singer was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1946, and currently serves as Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. Author, co-author, and editor of forty books on topics ranging from Marx and Hegel to stem cell research to the way we eat, Singer is best known internationally for Animal Liberation, the book considered to be the founding statement of the animal rights movement.

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[jiyx4]

This is a great example why people hate the USA, it's that incredible ignorance.

Constantly I get to hear; "Yes, but our country gives the most foreigh aid"

Not. When we look at GDP per capita, it's Denmark followed by The Netherlands who give most; 52% and 38%. Compare that with the USA, a lousy 3%....

It's this magic number of 310 (milion people) that always used to their advantage when comparing their accomplishments with smaller countries (most of them).

[LtheGTR]

@beaufortguy18 The fact that you believe countries full of people should starve to death because of the political beliefs of a few (or even that those few should die because of their subversive politics) only proves my point. Did you ever consider that some people abroad dislike America for a reason? I would be willing to bet people like you have something to do with it.

[TheNova1960]

@diln5 I'm sure Mr. Singer is a nice man, but at the moment our local shelter needs diapers, food, more shelters, and medicine! Kinda strange how we give billions to foreign countries with dictators...so those people never get the money any way and American Citizens go hungry!

[diln5]

@TheNova1960 Peter Singer has a world-view that is exceptionally strange to most people who haven't studied philosophy. He believes we should increase the maximum happiness of all sentient beings- regardless of their nationality (or even their species). Thus, a man who must eat from a tin can because he can't afford the prices in the wealthiest nation in the world is far better off than a man who has sickle-cell whose only livestock has been stolen by warloards. Regardless of nationality.

[150grnballistictip]

What's 1% of a trillion? Why are we so beholden to China even if they buy our dept. It's because of these assholes that we have lost or ability to produce. We have the land of milk and honey and won't even use it because the communist hippies hold it hostage...

[happinesson]

what is too much if you have more than enough? maybe people are ignorant for the statistics because all they know is that US government has the capacity to extend help for the benefit of humankind.

[cozyfoxstudio]

1% is a shit load of money better spent on American. We borrow to give so tack interest on to the figure and stop asking bullshit questions to trap ignorant people.

[TheNova1960]

I would love to ask him where would Americans go to get foreign aid when we are all living in FEMA tents eating out of tin cups. I volunteer at a homeless shelter and we have to turn citizens away for shelter, food, and medicine. However, our government keeps cutting checks to foreign countries...this man needs to work on a soup line for the US homeless!

[fuckooo]

@graysonTW You're a moron.

[XZohar123]

@graysonTW You should learn about someone's positions before talking about what they are.

[graysonTW]

what gives this chump the expertise to talk about foreign aid? i'll bet he's never been to APPALACHIA!

this is a guy who wants to sound so warm and cuddly sometimes.........and he's also the guy who favors eradicating BABIES born with Disabilities!

musta never heard of Andre Bocelli or Stevie Wonder!...........what a creep!