In 1972, Peter Singer published "Famine, Wealth, and Morality," which quickly became one of the most discussed articles in applied ethics. Through this article, Singer presents the view that we have the same moral obligations to those far away as we do to those close to us. He argues that choosing not to send life-saving money to starving people on the other side of the world is the moral equivalent of neglecting to save drowning children because we choose not to get our shoes muddy. If we can help it, we must, and any excuse is hypocrisy. Singer's extreme stance on the standard of giving has become a powerful topic of debate in modern philosophy and continues to challenge people's attitudes towards extreme poverty.
As Bill and Melinda Gates observe in their foreword, Singer's article is as relevant today as it ever was. This condensed edition provides a valuable collection of the original essay, two of Singer's more popular writings on our obligations to those in poverty, and a new introduction that advances the subject through Singer's current thought.