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Peter Singer, the author of Famine, Affluence, and Morality, attempts to distinguish between obligation and charitable motivations. He tries to show that wealthy people should do more to help the people of the world who are needy and suffering from famine. Many people think that giving to famine relief is a good deed, but is optional. Singer believes it is mandatory and morally justified for the fortunate to help the deprived as much as possible. …

…should prevent as much suffering as possible without sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance is totally dependant on each individual's definition of what is morally important and not important. Since each individual's morals differ, what might be important to one person might not be as important to another person. Singer's proposals, although sound, are not attainable. Since each person's morals are different, his idealistic world where everyone helps the needy and suffering will never exist.