Question

I want you to read the following piece (‘The Drowning Child and the Expanding Circle’ by Peter Singer; see link below) and respond to questions #1-5 based on your reactions to this piece. For each question, make sure you not only directly answer each question, but make sure to spend at least 2-3 sentences explaining your answers. HYPERLINK "https://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/199704--.htm" https://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/199704--.htm 1. What are your overall impressions of the piece? 2. At what stage of the 5 stage model of helping behavior might the type of prosocial behavior described in this piece be disrupted? 3. How might cognitive dissonance play a role in preventing more people from the type of helping described in this piece? 4. How might prescriptive and descriptive norms play a role in the type of prosocial behavior described in the piece? 5. In general, are you optimistic or pessimistic about the notion of the ‘expanding circle’ – that over time, people will expand their sense of who we should behave ethically toward?

Answer 1

1. This piece is all about following ethics. It gives a full account of how we can change lives that are even far away from us. It tells us to find a bigger purpose in life other than money. It tells us to derive satisfaction from helping people by making magre sacrifices which are not necessary or us but can save a lot of lives elsewhere. The piece has succeeded in showing a different and more fruitful purpose for life.

2. The piece largely fits on the 3rd stage of the 5 stage model of helping behaviour which is "deciding whether one has a responsibility to act". The piece talks about how we should reduce our levels of luxury and help people in need for whom the money might be crucial. The first step to this is self-realization of whether we are responsible to act.

3. Cognitive dissonance is mental discomfort experienced by a person who simultaneously holds two contradictory beliefs.A person's desire for money might prevent him from helping people in need. Here he has two contradictory values- Saving and making money for himself; and monetarily helping people in need. His desire for money might be greater than his will to donate, so this might prevent him from helping.

4. Descriptive norm might actually help in this case. It refers to what people in a group feel or do. Many people do feel that helping the needy is good and necessary. Prescriptive norm is what people in a group approve of. This is not beneficial as most people approve o spending money for themselves and not donating. People who donate are seen different because that are breaking the norm.

5. I am optimistic about the notion of expanding circle. People will definitely one day realize the repercussions that their deeds cause because thay would experience the repercussions caused by some others' deeds. People will definitely expand their sense of who they shoul behave ethically toward then.