The philosopher Peter Singer wrote the book The Life You Can Save to show that our current response to world poverty is not only insufficient but ethically indefensible. He argues that we need to change our views of what is involved in living an ethical life. To help us play our part in bringing about that change, he offers a seven-point plan that mixes personal philanthropy (figuring how much to give and how best to give it), local activism (spreading the word in your community), and political awareness (contacting your representatives to ensure that your nation’s foreign aid is really directed to the world’s poorest people).
If we do this, we will make a huge difference in the lives of others, without diminishing the quality of our own life.
Singer claims that if everyone who can afford to contribute to reducing extreme poverty were to give a modest proportion of their income to effective organizations fighting extreme poverty, the problem could be solved. It wouldn’t take a huge sacrifice.
How much each person should give:
The Standard
| Income Bracket | Donation |
|---|---|
| Less than 105 000 USD | At least 1% of your income, getting closer to 5% as your income approaches 105 000 USD |
| 105 001 USD – 148 000 USD | 5% |
| 148 001 USD – 383 000 USD | 5% of the first 148 000 USD and 10% of the remainder |
| 383 001 USD – 600 000 USD | 5% of the first 148 000 USD, 10% of the next 235 000 USD and 15% of the remainder |
| 600 001 USD – 1 900 000 USD | 5% of the first 148 000 USD, 10% of the next 235 000 USD, 15% of the next 217 000 USD and 20% of the remainder |
| 1 900 001 USD – 10 700 000 USD | 5% of the first 148 000 USD, 10% of the next 235 000 USD, 15% of the next 217 000 USD, 20% of the next 1 300 000 USD and 25% of the remainder |
| Over 10 700 000 USD | 5% of the first 148 000 USD, 10% of the next 235 000 USD, 15% of the next 217 000 USD, 20% of the next 1 300 000 USD, 25% of the next 8 800 000 USD and 33.33% of the remainder |
Do you meet the Life You Can Save standard, or will you pledge to meet it? If you would like to learn more or are ready to take the pledge, click here: http://www.thelifeyoucansave.com/pledge
The campaign also has a list of recommended charities that they consider effective in fighting poverty: http://www.thelifeyoucansave.com/organizations
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