Life as an Altruist

This week I took time with each purchase I made to act as closely to the altruist that Singer imagines in his writings. While I think that I am not the intended audience for the push for altruism as I am a student with few resources to start with and will not make much if any impact, building habits that will be carried on later in life will surely promote such activity when I can make more of an impact. With that in mind I approached each day remembering that each expense I incurred would have to remain vital and anything more than that would be immoral. My largest expense of the week was a winter coat which I felt was necessary as the cooler months are approaching and it would be unwise to go out in the elements without the right clothing. However I spent a lot of time looking for the least expensive coat that would also last as long as possible in order that I could save money for the next several years to be given to those in need and continue to use this coat for that time. 

While it was a useful mental exercise to see what it would be like to think about the impact of each of my decisions on those outside of my regular sphere of influence, it quickly became ‘burdensome.’ In that I mean that, while the act of thinking is not often considered onerous, adding an extra series of analyses to each of my choices surrounding money was tiring. I am certain that in practicing this often in life, and having a larger disposable income would make this easier it is still most certainly a difficult exercise to continue for extended periods. I also did not feel any more or less pride during the week because of my actions. As Singer sets out living in this way ought not to be seen as better than average but only what is required of us as moral beings. 

 I do not see it as any less of a theory, however I do understand better certain complaints about it. However I would argue that my issue with doing it each day, and by extension those complaints, come from a place of such opulence that a simple thought process is too much for us. Which is to say they are not enough to truly excuse any from attempting this in their own lives.