Interview

After reading a series of writings, such as “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” and “The Gift,” regarding donating to help poverty, we were assigned to create an interview to address some questions we had regarding some parts of the writings.

A: Hello L. We’re here to talk about your opinions on some of the writings that we’ve read regarding poverty and donating. So L, after reading “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” and “The Gift,” you can see that Singer and Kravinsky both believe that humans are obligated to donate. My question to you is why should we donate? Does it better the human race?

L: Well, I believe that donating does better the human race, because it is one step further towards achieving peace. I guess it’s kind of like an atom donating an electron to another atom so they can both achieve a full octet. In the end, they are both happy because now they are stable together.

A: Hmm, I see. So basically what you are saying is that by donating we are allowing each individual in the human race to become stable so that we can all live in harmony, right?

L: Exactly.

A: Ok, but as it says in the two writings: if we donate, we should donate anything that doesn’t provide us with essential things. What do you think determines how much we should give?

L: I think that donating everything except the essentials is very noble, but what determines how much we should give is our own individual beliefs. So if you want to give up everything, then you should do so, but if you don’t want to donate anything, you are not obligated to do so.

A: That’s interesting. So you think that each individual should determine what he or she gives. But doesn’t that mean that the total donations won’t even come close to what they could be, and aren’t the donations what really count in the end, not someone’s feelings?

L: Well, I believe that everyone should have a choice to do what he or she wants. And even if their choice isn’t good, they are still completely entitled to their decision.

A: So what you are saying is that you believe people should develop morals in order to donate and not donate because they feel obligated? So I take it that you would completely agree if everyone just pursued their own happiness and disregarded the poor?

L: Yes, even though we would be sacrificing living people for our happiness, I do believe that our freedom to choose is more important that donating.

A: So anyways, changing the subject, do you feel that donating time is as important as donating money?

L: Yes, I believe that they are equally important. For example, if you donated a million dollars, but no one took the time to invest the money to help people, than it was a wasted donation. On the other hand, if you had a million people donating their time to help people, but had no money or resources, they couldn’t get anything done. So you need a balance between these two kinds of donations in order for donating to be truly effective.

A: That seems pretty logical. There two of those things that can’t happen without each other. So after reading “The Gift,” do you think that Kravinsky is, in your opinion, morally ethical?

L: Well, I believe that being morally ethical is being comfortable with what you do. Therefore, I say yes, Kravinsky was morally ethical because he did help others, but I also say no, because he helped others out of his own addiction and not for his own beliefs.

A: I have to say, your ideas are very interesting ones and are quite thought provoking. Thanks for taking the time to let me interview you.

L: My pleasure.