Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

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.