The Bystander Effect

In Singer's article Famine, Affluence and Morality, he highlights the idea that it is morally ought that if we are capable of helping we should do so. Singer mentions one of the main contributing factors to why people do not take initiative in offering the less fortunate aide, can be related to the bystander effect. The bystander effect refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present. This bystander effect is seen within society daily. Singer says “Should I consider that I am less obliged to pull the drowning child out of the pond if on looking around I see other people, no further away than I am, who have also noticed the child but are doing nothing? (233)". I agree that a majority of people in society convince themselves that what they are or are not doing is moral based on the people they surround themselves with.

I believe our country places a high importance on individual rights. However, I think a majority of the way people build their beliefs and morals are based upon friends and family, rather than solely based on their own ideas. Singer’s argument can be separated into two different ideas-the idea that people did not develop their own belief system or the idea that if they know of people who are upholding moral duties, they are less likely to themselves. These ideas can be slightly contradictory, however can overlap also. I do not believe it is correct, however I understand why people are under false pretenses that if so many people they know are donating and upholding good moral standings, and one person cannot make a difference. However, if everybody had those ideas, then nothing would ever progress .