Garret Hardin Lifeboat Ethics Essay

What are some issues that threaten the immediate stability and balance of the world? War? Nukes? Global Warming? Economic fluctuations? The answer is none of the above. All of these are admissible issues, but don’t come near to the immediate impact and effects that accompany World Poverty. An estimated of three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day, yet there hasn’t been any drastic actions taken to counteract this predicament in an effective and sustaining manner (Shah). However, writers such as Peter Singer and Garrett Hardin are doing a stupendous job bringing this topic to the spotlight, and conveying their own distinct ideologies in regards to World Poverty. Both “Lifeboat Ethics: the Case Against Helping the Poor,” and “The Singer …show more content…
But, the approach that Garret Hardin used with presenting his argument with “Lifeboat Ethics,” was more persuasive and convincing in my opinion. This was due to the simple fact that it offered a more logistical way of persuading the reader.

When we write a persuasive piece of literature, we often make every attempt to establish a basis that can connect with the reader; arguments that the reader can get behind. Mr. Singer displayed this throughout his essay, discussing the moral obligation citizens have towards the poor. His tone was persuasive and welcoming. When he wanted to criticize a particular subject, he did so in a subtle manner. But, Mr. Hardin presented his argument in a blunt and criticizing tone. From the inception of his piece, he did not waste a single page to insult major organizations such as the United Nations who “is merely a toothless tiger, with little power to enforce any policy upon its bickering members,” (Hardin 1). Hardin did not present his argument to morally appeal to the reader, but rather offered an emotional free set of arguments. This distinction in tone is what captivated me into “Lifeboat

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