Explaining inaction

Abstract

This thesis investigates the ethical and practical implications of affluent individuals’ inaction in the face of extreme poverty. Despite having the means to assist, affluent people often fail to contribute significantly to aid organizations. This inaction, the thesis argues, stems from a combination of factors: a lack of compelling reasons to act, misinformation about the nature of poverty, and flawed reasoning processes. Analyzing these factors, the thesis posits that affluent individuals have a moral obligation to contribute and that their inaction is often driven by incorrect beliefs and flawed judgment. To address this issue, the thesis proposes a division of labor between the state and citizens, where governments take primary responsibility for poverty eradication, leaving individuals free to pursue their own goals. This approach requires wealthy nations to increase the quantity and quality of aid to low-income countries and cease harmful practices that negatively impact the global poor. The thesis advocates for this institutional solution as a more effective, fair, and practical approach to motivating assistance than relying solely on private philanthropy.