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Ethics Research
WINNER - The Moral Demands of Affluence
Obliged To Help - Yes! But How Much?
Australian philosopher, Professor Garrett Cullity, has tackled an age-old question in ethics and developed a new and compelling answer. His book The Moral Demands of Affluence asks ‘To what extent are we morally obliged to help those in need?' and has won him the Australian Catholic University Eureka Prize for Ethics.
This prize is part of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the Oscars of Australian science. Coveted among science prizes, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes were announced at a glittering event in Sydney on 19 August, attended by a ‘who's who' of Australian science, government, academia and industry.
In a world where we see daily evidence of both excessive personal indulgence and appalling poverty, the constant question is ‘How much giving is, morally speaking, ‘enough'?". This is known in ethics as the question of ‘moral demandingness'.
In his book, Professor Cullity, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Adelaide, argues that a life well-lived should be the goal of every human, rich and poor. Friends, family and hobbies are the components of such a life and nobody, not even the affluent, should do without these in the quest to assist others.
Cullity's surprising approach says that what we do for others must necessarily be limited. He argues that the altruistic model of restricting one's life in order to aid another is flawed; that it is not morally wrong to live a life of rich personal fulfilment. In fact, this is exactly what it is to be human. But helping others is also part of being human and must be done with perspective, the book says.
Garretty's thesis does not let the affluent world off lightly, declaring "If you are not making an effort to find an effective way of helping the poor, then you are acting wrongly. "
Cullity's argument partially disputes that of leading Australian ethicist, Peter Singer. Singers' view, that refusing to give more to aid agencies is no different to not rescuing a child drowning in front of you, has dominated ethics for 30 years.
Australian Museum Director, Frank Howarth says "Professor Cullity's book presents a compelling argument which far advances the frontier of thought about one of the most important moral problem of our times."
The Moral Demands of Affluence provides a moral compass for individuals and aid organisations seeking to better the world. It is having repercussions worldwide, including in government policy making.
The $10,000 Australian Catholic University Eureka Prize for Ethics is awarded for investigation of theoretical or practical ethical issues that contributes to the understanding and development of ethical standards.
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Sponsor
The ACU Eureka Prize for Research in Ethics is sponsored by Australian Catholic University.
Description
The Australian Catholic University Eureka Prize for Research in Ethics is awarded for the investigation of theoretical or practical ethical issues that contributes to an integrated body of work represented by a book, monograph or a series of related articles that contribute to the understanding and development of ethical standards.
prize
$10,000
Purpose
The Mission of Australian Catholic University is to be a community characterised by free inquiry and academic integrity. The pursuit of ethics is an important component of this.
The University explicitly engages the social, ethical and spiritual dimensions of the questions it faces and it is guided by a fundamental concern for justice and equity, and for the dignity of all human beings.
The University explicitly aims to train people who will be highly competent in their chosen fields, ethical in their behaviour, with a developed critical habit of mind, and a commitment to serving the common good.
Judging Criteria
Entries must address each of the following criteria:
1. Scholarly excellence. The research should be marked by scholarly excellence. Preference will be given to work published or accepted for publication in a communication outlet of high scholarly repute.
2. Originality. The research should advance knowledge and/or deepen understanding of an ethical issue or set of issues (theoretical or practical).
3. Relevance and Impact. The research should have relevance to a particular social issue or issues facing either individual Australians or Australian society as a whole. The research should make a significant theoretical advance or contribute to the practical resolution of the issue(s) in question.
4. Communication. Emphasis will be given to research that is expressed in a way that makes its results available and accessible to a wide audience and which is capable of affecting others in their ethical attitudes and/or behaviour.
5. Consistency with the Australian Catholic University ethos. The research should be consistent with an ethic which emphasizes both the significance of the individual human person and his or her responsibility for the world in which we live.
Other things being equal, the prize will be awarded for an integrated body of work represented by a book, monograph or a series of related articles. Judges may, however, in exceptional circumstances, decide to award the prize for research reflected in a single article.
Conditions of entry
The prize is open to individuals or groups. Entrants can either enter themselves or be nominated by others.
Research entered for this prize must have been undertaken:
• in Australia by an Australian citizen(s) or Australian resident(s). Where the entry is by a research team, all members of the team must meet this criterion
• undertaken no more than five (5) years prior to the closing date for entries.
Online entry forms close 5pm AEST Friday 2 May 2008. Hard copy entries will not be considered until and unless an online entry form has been completed.
Completed entries must be received by the Australian Museum no later than 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries delivered to the Australian Museum after this time will not be considered.
Entries with insufficient sets of documentation will not be considered. Submitted material will not be returned.
The research entered/nominated for this prize may not be entered/nominated for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize.
The deliberations of the judging panel remain confidential. All recommendations and decisions taken are binding and final and no correspondence will be entered into on such matters.
Information provided by the entrant(s) in relation to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (including photos), may be used by the Australian Museum for promotional/publicity purposes.
Personal information provided in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes will be used only by the Australian Museum and only in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
How to enter
1. Complete an online entry form
Complete the online entry form by 5pm AEST on Friday 2 May 2008. Make sure you print out a copy.
2. Prepare five (5) sets of the entry, with each set consisting of:
1. a printed copy of the online entry form as submitted
2. a brief description of the research entered, including objectives and results to date (two page maximum)
3. a brief description of how the research entered addresses each of the judging criteria (two page maximum)
4. a copy of a representative example of the research undertaken (article, book etc...)
5. a maximum of four (4) written reports addressing each of the judging criteria from assessors who are familiar with the entered research. NOTE: Judges rely on assessor's reports to provide additional perspective and informed opinion on the entry. Assessors should not be personally or directly involved in the research entered in this prize.
3. Submit the entry
Submit five (5) complete and separate sets of the entry clipped together (not bound). Please do NOT bother with elaborate presentation when submitting the entry. This will be removed before material is sent to judges. The five (5) sets of the entry should be sent to:
Eureka Prize for Research in Ethics
Australian Museum
6 College Street
SYDNEY NSW 2010
4. DEADLINE for submission of entries
The five (5) sets of the entry must be received at the Australian Museum by 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries received after this time will not be considered.
