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Peter Singer on Practicing Effective Altruism Daily

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Dec 10, 2022

Guest

Peter Singer

In this compelling discussion, Peter Singer, a prominent moral philosopher and founder of Effective Altruism, shares insights on charitable giving and the evolution of altruism. He explores the ethics of kidney donation, urging a balance between personal and communal responsibilities. Singer delves into modern individualism versus community engagement, highlighting the importance of moral choices in education and resource allocation. He also reflects on the transformative power of philosophy in daily life, inspiring listeners to prioritize effective altruism.

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ADVICE

Kidney Donation

Donate a kidney if you are healthy and willing.
The chances of needing your second kidney are low, and the impact is significant.

insights

INSIGHT

Effective Altruism

Peter Singer's views on charitable giving have evolved.
He now advocates for a less demanding but more effective approach, maximizing overall giving.

insights

INSIGHT

Expanding the Circle of Concern

Hierocles' Circles of Concern encourage expanding care beyond immediate circles.
Peter Singer's work on altruism and animal rights reflects this expansion.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Ethics of Kidney Donation and Altruism

04:55 • 19min

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The Shift from Community to Individualism in Modern Life

24:00 • 4min

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Moral Choices and Philanthropic Responsibilities

28:11 • 19min

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Examining Altruism in a World of Scarcity

47:13 • 5min

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The Ethics of Visibility in Philanthropy

51:45 • 14min

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The Transformative Power of Philosophy in Everyday Life

In 'Strangers Drowning', Larissa MacFarquhar profiles individuals who have dedicated their lives to extreme ethical commitments, examining the complexities of altruism and the societal skepticism towards those who live by high moral standards. The book delves into themes of morality, effective altruism, and utilitarianism, challenging readers to consider the limits of personal responsibility and the value of helping others.

The expanding circle

Ethics and Sociobiology

Peter Singer

In 'The Expanding Circle', Peter Singer integrates insights from sociobiology and ethics to argue that human altruism, initially driven by genetic instincts to protect kin and community, has evolved into a consciously chosen ethic with an expanding circle of moral concern. Singer contends that our capacity for reason allows us to extend moral consideration beyond biological and social groups to include all beings capable of feeling pleasure or pain. The book discusses the relationship between reason, ethics, and the biological basis of human behavior, and it includes a new afterword in the 2011 edition that reflects on recent research in the field.

Trust Me, I'm Lying

Confessions of a Media Manipulator

Ryan Holiday

In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets. The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business. Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation. He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics.

Animal liberation

Peter Singer

First published in 1975, 'Animal Liberation' by Peter Singer has been a pivotal book in the animal rights movement. It introduces the concept of 'speciesism,' the systematic neglect and exploitation of nonhuman animals. Singer argues that the interests of all beings capable of suffering should be given equal consideration, regardless of their species. The book critiques factory farming and animal experimentation, presenting alternatives and advocating for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. The revised edition, 'Animal Liberation Now,' updates the arguments to reflect current issues, including environmental impacts and the spread of viruses from factory farms.

The life you can save

How to Play Your Part in Ending World Poverty

Peter Singer

Peter Singer's "The Life You Can Save" is a compelling argument for effective altruism, urging readers to donate to charities that demonstrably alleviate suffering. Singer challenges conventional thinking about philanthropy, emphasizing the moral obligation to maximize the positive impact of our donations. The book presents a practical framework for identifying and supporting high-impact charities, focusing on cost-effectiveness and measurable results. Singer's work has sparked significant debate and inspired many to re-evaluate their charitable giving. The book's core message is that even small contributions can make a substantial difference in the lives of others.

Ryan speaks with professor of moral philosophy, author, and activist Peter Singer about the 10th anniversary edition of his book The Life You Can Save: How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty, how Peter’s views on charitable giving have changed throughout the years, the connections between Effective Altruism and Stoicism, applying ethical philosophy to issues in our daily lives, and more.

Peter is an Australian professor of moral philosophy who specializes in applied ethics. He is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and the founder of the Centre for Human Bioethics at Monash University. He is the author of numerous books and essays focusing on ethics, bioethics, global poverty, and animal rights, including The Most Good You Can Do, "Famine, Affluence, and Morality," and Animal Liberation. Peter is most known for developing and promoting Effective Altruism, the argument that effective giving involves balancing empathy with reason. In 2021, he won the esteemed Berggruen Prize for his work in the field of philosophy, and was awarded one million dollars, all of which he donated to charity.

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