Wealth Ethics Flashcards
What does absolute poverty mean?
Severe deprivation of basic human needs.
What does relative poverty mean?
Lacking the minimum amount of income required to maintain the average standard of living in the society in which you live.
What are some examples of Christian charities that help the poor?
• Cafod
• Christian Aid
• Salvation Army
• Tearfund
What is an example of a Christian charity in depth?
The charity Tearfund is a Christian charity which works in the Uk and partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. It tackles poverty and injustice through sustainable development, by responding to disasters and challenging inequality.
What are some Christian teachings on wealth?
• “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…’ (1 Timothy 6:10)
• Wealth is a blessing from God.
• Wealth should be used responsibly e.g to help others.
What are some Christian teachings on moral duties?
• ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Luke 10:27)
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
• The Golden Rule – ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you’ (Matthew 7:12)
• The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
What is Peter Singer’s ‘Drowning toddler’ theory?
The analogy suggests you consider if while wearing a nice new pair of shoes you see a child struggling in a shallow pool at risk of drowning, you likely wouldn’t hesitate to save the child despite knowing you’d ruin the shoes. Singer believes that we are morally obligated to help others if we can do so without significant sacrifice on our own part.
What is Garrett Hardin’s ‘Lifeboat’ analogy?
Metaphorically, these ethics explain that each rich nation is a lifeboat full of rich people. In the ocean outside each lifeboat float the poor of the world, who would like to climb aboard. Hardin argues that the rich should not aid the poor and starving people of the world because doing so will only lead to disaster for everyone, as the poor will become too dependent on given donations.
Why might various different teachings from the bible encourage Christian’s to help the poor?
Many Christian teachings explore the theme of universal love (agape) which would encourage Christians to love and care for everyone, even if they don’t know them. Christians could also believe that they have a moral duty to help those in need, as in The Golden Rule it states
‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you’. Other teaching suggest that if one is generous and kind to others they will be rewarded by God in heaven.
Both Peter Singer and Garrett Hardin use what kind of approach when trying to decide if we should help the global poor?
They both use Utilitarian as in both cases they are concerned with the consequences. Singer things helping would have better consequences, because it saves a life. Hardin things it would lead to worse consequences, as all the resources will be used up meaning everyone suffers.
What term refers to a utilitarian approach to giving to charity that looks at where the money can do the most good?
Effective altruism.
