Accounting for possible failure modes and the potential effects of those failure modes is a crucial part of any correctly done “morality math”.
Granted, people can’t really be relied upon to actually do it right, and it may not be a good idea to “shut up and multiply” if you can expect to get it wrong… but then failing to shut up and multiply can also have significant consequences. The worst thing you can do with morality math is to only use it when it seems convenient to you, and ignore it otherwise.
However, none of this talk of failure modes represents a solid counterargument to Singer’s main point. I agree with you that there is no strict moral equivalence to killing a child, but I don’t think it matters. The point still holds that by buying luxury goods you bear moral responsibility for failing to save children who you could (and should) have saved.
Accounting for possible failure modes and the potential effects of those failure modes is a crucial part of any correctly done “morality math”.
Granted, people can’t really be relied upon to actually do it right, and it may not be a good idea to “shut up and multiply” if you can expect to get it wrong… but then failing to shut up and multiply can also have significant consequences. The worst thing you can do with morality math is to only use it when it seems convenient to you, and ignore it otherwise.
However, none of this talk of failure modes represents a solid counterargument to Singer’s main point. I agree with you that there is no strict moral equivalence to killing a child, but I don’t think it matters. The point still holds that by buying luxury goods you bear moral responsibility for failing to save children who you could (and should) have saved.