Some companies exploit the global poor, by paying them meagre wages in return for gruelling work. Many of us believe this is wrong, even when it leaves the exploited better off than they would otherwise have been. Many of us also believe there is no obligation to help the global poor ourselves, for we could do that by giving more to effective charities. But together, these beliefs imply that we ought to let the global poor suffer rather than exploit them, even when they would much rather be exploited. That might seem counterintuitive. I develop this problem, and then offer a new solution.
Members of the audience are invited to join the speaker and the convenor for drinks and dinner at a local restaurant following the talk (at their own expense). There will obviously be some limit on the number of people who can attend. Those who wish to attend a particular dinner should write to Ed Lamb in advance to reserve a place. Please note that we will no longer be going to dinner afterwards at Somerville College to continue questioning the speaker. The current plan is rather for the speaker and convenor to go to a local restaurant which all are welcome to attend at their own expense. Please let me know in advance if you would like to attend a particular dinner. In future terms I may bring the time of the seminar forward to 3 – 5pm which would make it possible for all to go to pre-dinner drinks. Please let me know if this change of time would make you more or less likely to attend.
