The Moral Demands of Affluence

How much are we morally required to do to help people who are much worse off than us? On any credible moral outlook, other people's pressing need for assistance can ground moral requirements on us to help them---requirements of beneficence. Garrett Cullity examines, refines, and defends this argument. He then identifies its limits. We stand under requirements of beneficence to help the needy, but these requirements only make sense if a fulfilling life is one that it is not wrong for us to live.