Barry and Øverland’s defence of a moderate principle of assistance

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, I argue that Barry and Øverland did not succeed in providing an answer to Singer’s challenge. I start by arguing against their claim, that the case on which Singer relies on in order to generate a highly demanding assistance requirement, has a special feature that limits its applicability to other situations. Second, I argue against Barry and Øverland’s attempt to undermine any highly demanding principle of assistance on the basis of the failure of others to share the burden of assistance. While the above does not show that Singer’s highly demanding assistance principles are vindicated, it does show, however, that more needs to be done, than what Barry and Øverland have offered, in order to meet Singer’s challenge.