SHOULD YOU GIVE TO BEGGARS? YES, YOU SHOULD. Issue 44 (30th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christian, Richard
• Is Part Of: Think. Volume 15:Issue 44(2016)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2016-09-30
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1017/S147717561600018X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-1756

Abstract

Abstract : Should you give to beggars? One argument that you should not is that since there are people who are much worse off than beggars, to give to a beggar is to deny some assistance to those who need it most. You should give instead to the most poor, and in general, you ought in your action to do the most good you can. This argument was defended in a paper published recently in /Think/, and the principle that lies behind it is the basis of a popular movement called 'effective altruism'. I attack that argument in this paper. Morality does not require of you merely that you do the most good; there is more to it than that.