In “Is Art a Waste of Time?” Rhys Southan considers the ethical position of Effective Altruism, a social movement based on a utilitarian philosophy of achieving the greatest amount of good and reducing the greatest amount of suffering. Southan explains EA’s argument for the number of lives we could save and the amount of suffering we could alleviate if we all made decisions according to the greater good. As a writer, Southan is inspired by art, and he quotes a speech by Steven Soderberg arguing that “this world would be unlivable without art” (435). However, for effective altruists, “the entertainment value of a project is fleeting, so what matters is how it influences political or social behavior” (Southan 439). For this assignment, you will consider the role of art in creating social change.
Assignment:
Is art defensible within a logic of Ethical Altruism? How could you defend a career in the arts or any career that’s not calculated to achieve the greatest return in reducing global suffering? Write an essay that takes a position on the role of arts in fostering social change. Use specific details from Southan’s essays to support your argument, including the examples of prevention approaches that provides from the various programs and campaigns she observes.
Your main source for this assignment should be the reading by Southan. If you need an outside source for informational purposes, statistics, etc., or if you’d like to include examples of specific pieces of art and their impacts, you must cite them using the correct MLA citation format.
Remember, to have focus and clarity in your essay, you need to think about the topic and the questions asked and then decide what your views are on this issue. Carefully consider your supporting points and examples.
Formatting and Requirements:
Your essay should:
be 4-5 pages in length
include a Works Cited page
be double-spaced
be typed in Times New Roman font
have 1-inch margins (on all sides)
include Your name, my name, class and date in the upper left corner of the 1st page
Format your essay according to MLA guidelines (see above).
You must use quotes from the readings to support your argument.
