Animal Rights, Abortion, and Lying with Peter Singer
Jun 23, 2023
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Renowned moral philosopher Peter Singer discusses his new book 'Animal Liberation Now' and the changes since his original book in the 70s. Topics include lab-grown meat, the ethical status of capitalism, arguments for and against veganism, the ethics of abortion, and the effective altruism movement.
The evolution of the animal rights movement and new arguments for veganism, including the impact of meat production on climate change and the need for global efforts to address animal suffering.
The current state of lab-grown meat, its challenges in terms of cost and scalability, and the potential of lab-grown dairy proteins as alternatives to traditional animal agriculture.
The ethical implications of capitalism and the importance of democratic control, regulations, and social welfare policies to mitigate its harmful consequences.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Animal Liberation
Peter Singer, a renowned Australian moral philosopher, discusses his new book 'Animal Liberation Now' and the evolution of the animal rights movement. He highlights the changes in animal research and factory farming since the release of his influential book in 1975. Singer also explores new arguments for veganism, such as the impact of meat production on climate change. He emphasizes the need for global efforts to address animal suffering and the importance of individuals taking action.
Lab-Grown Meat and Dairy Proteins
Singer discusses the current state of lab-grown meat and its potential to revolutionize the food industry. He mentions that lab-grown meat is already available in restaurants in Singapore but faces challenges in terms of cost and scalability. Singer also mentions the recent approval of lab-grown dairy proteins in Israel, which could soon be available on the market. These innovations offer alternatives to traditional animal agriculture, addressing ethical concerns and environmental impact.
Capitalism and Effective Altruism
Singer discusses the ethical implications of capitalism and its relationship to effective altruism. He acknowledges that capitalism can contribute to extreme poverty and environmental degradation but questions the alternatives. Singer highlights the need for democratic control and regulations to address the negative effects of capitalism. He also references the scandal involving Sam Bankman-Fried, a prominent figure in the effective altruism movement, and acknowledges the setback it caused. Overall, Singer believes in making the best of capitalism while advocating for social welfare policies and mitigating its harmful consequences.
Abortion and the Ethical Calculus
Peter Singer discusses the ethical considerations surrounding abortion, arguing that the decision to terminate a pregnancy should not only be based on the fetus's ability to feel pain, but also on the cancelation of future potential flourishing. He believes that the decision to have children is often made based on personal interests rather than considering the potential positive life of the child. Singer also emphasizes that the distinction between acts of commission and acts of omission should not have moral weight in the context of abortion.
Death with Dignity and Assisted Dying
Peter Singer and the host discuss the ethical implications of death with dignity and assisted dying. Singer argues that the method by which death is brought about, whether through lethal injection or the withdrawal of life support, should not significantly impact the moral judgment of the decision. He shares personal experiences and supports the idea that patients who are in a state of suffering with no hope for improvement should have access to assisted dying. Singer also addresses the perception that philosophy is disconnected from real-life issues, emphasizing the practical impact that philosophical ideas can have on society.
My guest today is Peter Singer. Peter Singer is a renowned Australian moral philosopher best known for his work in applied ethics, particularly regarding animal rights and global poverty. He's considered a leader in the development of the modern animal rights movement, which was hugely influenced by his 1975 book, "Animal Liberation". He's just released a new version of the book called "Animal Liberation Now", which we discussed today.
We talk about what has changed since he wrote the original book in the 70s. We talk about lab-grown meat, which seemed to be right around the corner, but still hasn't arrived on the shelves. We discuss the ethical status of capitalism. We talk about the ethical arguments for and against veganism. We discuss the ethics of abortion. We talk about the effective altruism movement and Sam Bankman-Fried. We also talk about the ethics of lying to children and much more.
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