Comparing The Life You Can Save, By Jon Sobrino And Peter Singer
Jon Sobrino and Peter Singer share with readers what it takes to live ethically in a world in which 22,000 children die each day from poverty-related issues. In The Principle of Mercy: Taking the Crucified People from the Cross, Sobrino emphasis that people must no longer turn a naked eye to the problems of the world and they should start living their life according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In The Life You Can Save, Singer stresses the importance of an increase in monetary donation in attempts to cease poverty in the world. This paper will first address Sobrino’s methods for living an ethical life, according to the gospel. Additionally, it will focus on Singer’s approach to tackling world poverty by his advocacy for greater donation of
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the public.
Sabrino
Jesuit priest, Jon Sobrino, shares with his readers the moment of realization that he refers to as his awakening. He explains how his encounter during his 1957 arrival to El Salvador, not only changed his way of thinking, but also, also his will and heart. Sobrino addresses his definition of being awakened in his work The Principle of Mercy: Taking the Crucified People from the Cross.
Awakening
For one to live ethically, they must “awaken” from the sleep of inhumanity. Sobrino witnessed a form of inhumanity during a visit to El Salvador. He has observed people living in horrible conditions, unfit for humans. Some did not have water; others had no housing. To awaken, one must open their eyes and not be shielded from the truth; that is, they must see the world for what it truly is – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Although it may not be pleasant, Sobrino argues that we must face the reality of a crucified world.
The Christian church does its part by acknowledging Jesus’ persecution, suffering, and crucifixion. But as a global society, we humans fail to acknowledge those who are currently suffering on their symbolic cross. “The world of poverty and crucified peoples has allowed us to overcome blindness and discover mendacity.” Meaning, we are able to see the truth, to see the light, because of our witnessing of these horrible conditions. However, we must not only witness, but take responsibility for our impact in this world and consider these three questions as we deeply discern in attempt to live an ethical life: What have done to put others on the cross? What have we done to keep them there? And, what are we doing to get them down?
Furthermore, to live ethically in a world full of devastation is to live in solidarity.
Those living in first world countries should have as much interest as those living in third world countries, as they do in their own society. To be indifferent to others suffering is to be inhuman. In a global society, we are all connected to each and it is our duty to accept this true it we want to live ethically.
Living the Gospel/Action
Sobrino argues that there is a flaw in our reality. Human’s greatest enemy is material items. God calls us to live by the gospel; we must be merciful and compassionate. The only way we may be able to do that is if we follow God’s will and love others as we love oneself.
In order to live in God’s will, we have to worship God, not gods. What is inhibiting humans from worshiping God is the worshipping of idols, “it is not enough to go from ignorance to truth….it is pointless to aspire to truth unless we are willing to distill its consequences.” True God is at war with other gods. And, the ultimate evil in idols is that they need humans in order to exist. That is, if humans remain indifferent to other people’s pain, then they must be worshiping some other idol be it another god, money or, power. The solution is to rid the idols because they dehumanize their
worshipers.
Once one has set aside idol worship and puts fourth his community over individual needs, he is able to be compassionate and merciful. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our neighbors do not necessarily have to be just close friends, family, and acquaintances; they are everyone in our global society. Just as the Good Samaritan offered to help a stranger, we are expected to do the same. However, the gospel calls us to strive for more than just preforming good deeds. We are called to reproduce the justice and in love in this society by abiding to the Works of Mercy. There is no one right way to do so, every human as a role that they can play in order to bring out justice. So it is our responsibility to get moving, get going, and get involved.
Thus, Sobrino argues that in order to live ethically in a world where thousands are suffering we must first be awakened from a sleep of inhumanity. Then, we must form solidarity with one another and begin to see the world in the eyes of those who are suffering. We should be merciful and practice mercy freely. It is our job to find a way to bring those who are crucified down from the cross.
Singer
Millions of people around the world die every year from causes that would be preventable at comparatively low cost if appropriate resources were available to them. Peter Singer addresses this problem in The Life You Can Save as he calls for Americans in the United States to give to charities and aid programs. It is possible for one to live ethically in a world where thousands die each day if he or she stops pursing self-interest and begins to take on the problems of those outside of one’s self, one’s family, and one’s friends.
Self-Interest and Society
Granted, due to human nature, one’s family and friends comes first in times of need, but Singer does not believe that helping one means inhibition of another; one can also give generously to aid. Singer uses logic and statistics to put this into perceptive. The value of a life of a US citizen is 2.2 million dollars, which is a stark contrast compared to the range of $300 to $3,500 it causes to save lives in other countries. Singer finds it sickening that individuals are mesmerized by yachts, flamboyant gowns, mansions, and other materialistic assets. It is obscene that any individual has so much wealth and outrageous that humans are captivated by excess and greed. As a human population, we tend to have a lack of concern for others. So, it is not until we start taking genuine concern of others can we live ethically in a world where thousands die each day.
Give More
Singer is a strong advocate of giving more. He believes that U.S citizens have an ethical responsibility to give more of their income to the poor. He shares that 18 million people die unnecessarily each year. The situation of others dying senselessly is real; in order to live ethically, we, as privileged Americans, must understand this reality, take action, and give.
Similar to Sobrino’s approach, Singer wants readers to reconsider what kind of humans they are. He raises the question of how we, as humans, living a moral life with all this suffering and needless death? Women in other regions of the world do not have the means nor the recourses to nourish their children that the privilege does. They are restricted from living fully; neither they nor their families will have the opportunities to flourish. As a culture, Americans need to take into account our impact on the world. We must change the mentality of “taking care of our own” to taking care of all. Because this mentality is obsolete in the new global society that we live in today. To live ethically is being mindful of one’s immoral behavior; just because we do not have to care does not mean that we should not care. One may think that he or she is not obligated to care for those who are suffering, poor, or not as privileged, but ethically, we as a society, have the responsibility to care. We must own up to our obligation to the poor.
To do this, Singer suggests that as a nation, we need to give more of our money. He argues that Americans live too comfortably and can afford to give more if they are able to buy water bottles, coffees, or cans of soda. If one’s household income is $105,000 or less one should give 1% of his income to assist. If one makes between $105,000 and $148,000, she should give at least 5% of her income to assistance. If one makes between $148,000 and $383,000 he should donate at 10% of his income to assistance.
Thus, Singer argues that much of spent by Americans are spent on frivolous items; this money could be used to save human lives. It is possible to put an end to preventable deaths.
the public.
Sabrino
Jesuit priest, Jon Sobrino, shares with his readers the moment of realization that he refers to as his awakening. He explains how his encounter during his 1957 arrival to El Salvador, not only changed his way of thinking, but also, also his will and heart. Sobrino addresses his definition of being awakened in his work The Principle of Mercy: Taking the Crucified People from the Cross.
Awakening
For one to live ethically, they must “awaken” from the sleep of inhumanity. Sobrino witnessed a form of inhumanity during a visit to El Salvador. He has observed people living in horrible conditions, unfit for humans. Some did not have water; others had no housing. To awaken, one must open their eyes and not be shielded from the truth; that is, they must see the world for what it truly is – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Although it may not be pleasant, Sobrino argues that we must face the reality of a crucified world.
The Christian church does its part by acknowledging Jesus’ persecution, suffering, and crucifixion. But as a global society, we humans fail to acknowledge those who are currently suffering on their symbolic cross. “The world of poverty and crucified peoples has allowed us to overcome blindness and discover mendacity.” Meaning, we are able to see the truth, to see the light, because of our witnessing of these horrible conditions. However, we must not only witness, but take responsibility for our impact in this world and consider these three questions as we deeply discern in attempt to live an ethical life: What have done to put others on the cross? What have we done to keep them there? And, what are we doing to get them down?
Furthermore, to live ethically in a world full of devastation is to live in solidarity.
Those living in first world countries should have as much interest as those living in third world countries, as they do in their own society. To be indifferent to others suffering is to be inhuman. In a global society, we are all connected to each and it is our duty to accept this true it we want to live ethically.
Living the Gospel/Action
Sobrino argues that there is a flaw in our reality. Human’s greatest enemy is material items. God calls us to live by the gospel; we must be merciful and compassionate. The only way we may be able to do that is if we follow God’s will and love others as we love oneself.
In order to live in God’s will, we have to worship God, not gods. What is inhibiting humans from worshiping God is the worshipping of idols, “it is not enough to go from ignorance to truth….it is pointless to aspire to truth unless we are willing to distill its consequences.” True God is at war with other gods. And, the ultimate evil in idols is that they need humans in order to exist. That is, if humans remain indifferent to other people’s pain, then they must be worshiping some other idol be it another god, money or, power. The solution is to rid the idols because they dehumanize their
worshipers.
Once one has set aside idol worship and puts fourth his community over individual needs, he is able to be compassionate and merciful. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our neighbors do not necessarily have to be just close friends, family, and acquaintances; they are everyone in our global society. Just as the Good Samaritan offered to help a stranger, we are expected to do the same. However, the gospel calls us to strive for more than just preforming good deeds. We are called to reproduce the justice and in love in this society by abiding to the Works of Mercy. There is no one right way to do so, every human as a role that they can play in order to bring out justice. So it is our responsibility to get moving, get going, and get involved.
Thus, Sobrino argues that in order to live ethically in a world where thousands are suffering we must first be awakened from a sleep of inhumanity. Then, we must form solidarity with one another and begin to see the world in the eyes of those who are suffering. We should be merciful and practice mercy freely. It is our job to find a way to bring those who are crucified down from the cross.
Singer
Millions of people around the world die every year from causes that would be preventable at comparatively low cost if appropriate resources were available to them. Peter Singer addresses this problem in The Life You Can Save as he calls for Americans in the United States to give to charities and aid programs. It is possible for one to live ethically in a world where thousands die each day if he or she stops pursing self-interest and begins to take on the problems of those outside of one’s self, one’s family, and one’s friends.
Self-Interest and Society
Granted, due to human nature, one’s family and friends comes first in times of need, but Singer does not believe that helping one means inhibition of another; one can also give generously to aid. Singer uses logic and statistics to put this into perceptive. The value of a life of a US citizen is 2.2 million dollars, which is a stark contrast compared to the range of $300 to $3,500 it causes to save lives in other countries. Singer finds it sickening that individuals are mesmerized by yachts, flamboyant gowns, mansions, and other materialistic assets. It is obscene that any individual has so much wealth and outrageous that humans are captivated by excess and greed. As a human population, we tend to have a lack of concern for others. So, it is not until we start taking genuine concern of others can we live ethically in a world where thousands die each day.
Give More
Singer is a strong advocate of giving more. He believes that U.S citizens have an ethical responsibility to give more of their income to the poor. He shares that 18 million people die unnecessarily each year. The situation of others dying senselessly is real; in order to live ethically, we, as privileged Americans, must understand this reality, take action, and give.
Similar to Sobrino’s approach, Singer wants readers to reconsider what kind of humans they are. He raises the question of how we, as humans, living a moral life with all this suffering and needless death? Women in other regions of the world do not have the means nor the recourses to nourish their children that the privilege does. They are restricted from living fully; neither they nor their families will have the opportunities to flourish. As a culture, Americans need to take into account our impact on the world. We must change the mentality of “taking care of our own” to taking care of all. Because this mentality is obsolete in the new global society that we live in today. To live ethically is being mindful of one’s immoral behavior; just because we do not have to care does not mean that we should not care. One may think that he or she is not obligated to care for those who are suffering, poor, or not as privileged, but ethically, we as a society, have the responsibility to care. We must own up to our obligation to the poor.
To do this, Singer suggests that as a nation, we need to give more of our money. He argues that Americans live too comfortably and can afford to give more if they are able to buy water bottles, coffees, or cans of soda. If one’s household income is $105,000 or less one should give 1% of his income to assist. If one makes between $105,000 and $148,000, she should give at least 5% of her income to assistance. If one makes between $148,000 and $383,000 he should donate at 10% of his income to assistance.
Thus, Singer argues that much of spent by Americans are spent on frivolous items; this money could be used to save human lives. It is possible to put an end to preventable deaths.