Question about a particular phrase found in Singer or Cullity about fixing a problem completely

https://www.reddit.com/r/askphilosophy/comments/7xuec5/question_about_a_particular_phrase_found_in/

created by drinka40tonight on 15/02/2018 at 23:05 UTC

7 upvotes, 1 top-level comments (showing 1)

There's a particular phrase I can't quite remember. It's related to discussions of Singer and/or Cullity. It basically describes a sort of objection that goes something like, "well, if we can't solve all of poverty, then why bother?" Or, "if the whole river won't be clean, why shouldn't I litter?" The idea is about completly fixing a problem.

I want to say something like, "the problem of the scene," or "cleaning the setting" or something, but that's not quite right. Any help?

Comments

Comment by drinka40tonight at 16/02/2018 at 02:32 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I think I found it. I believe I was thinking of a phrase in Unger's book *Living High and Letting Die.* He talks about "the continuing mess" and "the cleaned scene."