Editing Utilitarianism (section)

=== World poverty ===
An article in the ''[[American Economic Journal]]'' has addressed the issue of Utilitarian ethics within [[Redistribution of income and wealth|redistribution of wealth]]. The journal stated that taxation of the wealthy is the best way to make use of the disposable income they receive. This says that the money creates utility for the most people by funding government services.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Optimal Taxation of Height: A Case Study of Utilitarian Income Redistribution|author1=N. Gregory Mankiw|author2=Matthew Weinzierl|journal=American Economic Journal: Economic Policy|volume=2|issue=1|date=2010|pages=155–176|jstor = 25760055|doi=10.1257/pol.2.1.155|citeseerx=10.1.1.208.8375}}</ref> Many utilitarian philosophers, including [[Peter Singer]] and [[Toby Ord]], argue that inhabitants of developed countries in particular have an obligation to help to end [[extreme poverty]] across the world, for example by regularly donating some of their income to charity. Peter Singer, for example, argues that donating some of one's income to charity could help save a life or cure somebody from a poverty-related illness, which is a much better use of the money as it brings someone in extreme poverty far more happiness than it would bring to oneself if one lived in relative comfort. However, Singer not only argues that one ought to donate a significant proportion of one's income to charity, but also that this money should be directed to the most cost-effective charities, in order to bring about the greatest good for the greatest number, consistent with utilitarian thinking.<ref>[http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_singer_the_why_and_how_of_effective_altruism Peter Singer: The why and how of effective altruism | Talk Video]. TED.com.</ref> Singer's ideas have formed the basis of the modern [[effective altruism]] movement.