Mark and Wes interview perhaps the world's most influential living philosopher for an hour, then the full PEL foursome discusses. Our focus is the newly reissued/repackaged 1971 essay "Famine, Affluence, and Morality," which argues that just as we would regard it as unethical to fail to save a drowning child because you don't want to ruin your expensive shoes, so it's Continue Reading …
Ep. 150: Guest Peter Singer on Famine, Affluence, and Morality (Citizen Edition)
What do we owe the poor? Mark and Wes interview perhaps the world's most influential living philosopher for an hour, then the full PEL foursome discusses. The focus is the newly reissued/repackaged 1971 essay "Famine, Affluence, and Morality," which argues that just as we would regard is as unethical to fail to save a drowning child because you don't want to ruin your Continue Reading …
“The Most Good You Can Do” (2015): A Review of Peter Singer’s New Book
Peter Singer is a man whose moral worldview extends beyond the scope of human beings to the protection of animals and our planet, in an ever-expanding circle of concern. He is the godfather of the Animal Liberation movement and perhaps the most vocal proponent of utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize the most well-being for human beings as possible. Singer is now spearheading Continue Reading …
What to Do About Behaving Badly
This is an obvious cross-reference for this group—indeed, many of you likely already read it. Peter Singer and Agata Sagan have an column in NYTimes' "The Stone" today called "Are We Ready for a Morality Pill?" They present the conundrum of the how to factor in our growing understanding of the effect of brain chemistry not just on our mood and temperment, but also our Continue Reading …
Peter Singer on Hegel & Marx
In this series of videos of Bryan Magee interviewing a young Peter Singer, Singer provides an explication of Hegel's overall philosophical enterprise. We've linked to Magee's show in other places (like here, here and here) and in this interview we get to see Peter Singer actually doing traditional philosopher-type stuff. He has an outstanding 'stach and nice square Continue Reading …
Julian Baggini’s Philosophy Monthly – the PEL review
So Mark stole my thunder with his post about AC Grayling, as I was preparing my thoughts about Julian Baggini's regular podcast, Baggini's Philosophy Monthly. Nonetheless, even though Mark hates and wants to upstage me, I will proceed with my ramblings. I found and started listening to Baggini's podcast towards the end of last year and was able to reel off a series of Continue Reading …
Episode 9: Utilitarian Ethics: What Should We Do?
Discussing Jeremy Bentham’s An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation chapters 1-5, John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism, and modern utilitarian Peter Singer's "Famine, Affluence, and Morality.") Going full tilt on the Greatest Happiness principle, with talk of gladiators, consensual cannibalism, and illegal downloads. How many Pleetons were in your last Continue Reading …
Episode 9: Utilitarian Ethics: What Should We Do?
Discussing Jeremy Bentham’s An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation chapters 1-5, John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism, and modern utilitarian Peter Singer's "Famine, Affluence, and Morality.") Going full tilt on the Greatest Happiness principle, with talk of gladiators, consensual cannibalism, and illegal downloads. How many Pleetons were in your last Continue Reading …