Peter Singer

Peter Singer is an Australian moral philosopher who is one of the most influential of the contemporary ethicists. He is known for his work on the animal rights and the effective altruism.

Early Life and Education

Singer was born in 1946 in Melbourne, Australia. His parents were the Jewish refugees who had fled from the Nazis in Austria.

He studied at the University of Melbourne and took his degree in law and philosophy. He took his doctorate at the University of Oxford in 1971.

He taught at the University of Oxford and the New York University. He became the professor of bioethics at Princeton University.

The Animal Liberation

Singer published the book Animal Liberation in 1975. The book is regarded as the founding text of the modern animal rights movement.

He argued that the suffering of the animals should be given the equal consideration as the suffering of the humans. The principle of the equal consideration of the interests.

He coined the term speciesism for the discrimination against the animals. The concept became central to the debate on the animal rights.

He criticised the factory farming and the animal experimentation. He argued for the vegetarianism and the humane treatment of the animals.

The Ethics and the Famine

Singer published the essay Famine, Affluence, and Morality in 1972. The essay argues that the wealthy have the duty to help the poor and the suffering.

He used the thought experiment of the drowning child in the shallow pond. The example illustrates the moral obligation to help the others.

He developed the concept of the effective altruism. The movement seeks to use the evidence and the reason to do the most good.

He wrote the book The Life You Can Save and The Most Good You Can Do. The works promote the giving to the effective charities.

The Controversies and the Legacy

Singer has been the subject of the controversy because of his views on the euthanasia and the infanticide. The views have provoked the protests.

He has defended the moral philosophy of the utilitarianism. He has argued for the application of the reason to the ethical questions.

He was appointed the Companion of the Order of Australia in 2012. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He is one of the most influential of the contemporary philosophers. His work has shaped the debate on the animal rights and the global poverty.

The Animal Liberation

Singer published Animal Liberation in 1975. The book is regarded as the founding text of the animal rights movement.

He argued for the equal consideration of the interests of the animals. He coined the term speciesism.

He criticised the factory farming and the animal experimentation.

The Famine and the Ethics

Singer published the essay Famine, Affluence, and Morality in 1972. The essay argues for the duty to help the poor.

He used the thought experiment of the drowning child. The example illustrates the moral obligation.

He developed the concept of the effective altruism.

The Effective Altruism

Singer promoted the effective altruism movement. The movement seeks to use the evidence to do the most good.

He wrote the book The Life You Can Save. The book promotes the giving to the effective charities.

He argued for the application of the reason to the ethical questions.

The Controversies

Singer has been the subject of the controversy because of his views. The views on the euthanasia and the infanticide provoked the protests.

He has defended the moral philosophy of the utilitarianism. He has argued for the application of the reason.

The debates over his views continue.

The Academic Career

Singer taught at the University of Oxford and the New York University. He became the professor of bioethics at Princeton University.

He wrote the textbook Practical Ethics. The book is used in the courses throughout the world.

He was appointed the Companion of the Order of Australia in 2012.

The Legacy

Singer is one of the most influential of the contemporary philosophers. His work has shaped the debate on the animal rights.

He has influenced the global poverty and the effective altruism. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He continues to teach and to write.

The Personal Life

Singer married Renata Diamond in 1963. The couple had three daughters.

He has been a vegetarian for many years. The commitment to the animal welfare is reflected in his life and his work.

He continues to teach and to write at Princeton University.

The Influence

Singer is one of the most influential of the contemporary philosophers. His work has shaped the debate on the animal rights.

He has been the subject of the controversy and the admiration. The views have provoked the protests and the support.

He continues to teach and to write at Princeton University.

See also

• Animal liberation
• Utilitarianism
• Effective altruism
• Bioethics