120 pages | 3rd December, 2015 | Non-fiction | Philosophy; Ethics
A timely revisit and discussion of a classic essay from one of the most influential living philosophers
In 1972, the young philosopher Peter Singer published “Famine, Affluence and Morality,” which rapidly became one of the most widely discussed essays in applied ethics. Through this article, Singer presents his view that we have the same moral obligations to those far away as we do to those close to us. He argued that choosing not to send life-saving money to starving people on the other side of the earth is the moral equivalent of neglecting to save drowning children because we prefer not to muddy our shoes. If we can help, we must—and any excuse is hypocrisy. Singer’s extreme stand on our moral obligations to others became a powerful call to arms and continues to challenge people’s attitudes towards extreme poverty. Today, it remains a central touchstone for those who argue we should all help others more than we do.
In the age of today’s global philanthropy, Singer’s essay is as relevant now as it ever was. This attractively packaged, concise edition collects the original article, two of Singer’s more recent popular writings on our obligations to others around the world, and a new introduction by Singer that discusses his current thinking.
"Peter Singer's 'Famine, Affluence, and Morality' is the single most important text in applied ethics. Singer gives us the simplest and most powerful argument in modern philosophy that we must change the way we live fundamentally."
Leif Wenar, Kings College London
"Singer's Famine, Affluence, and Morality is an important influential argument that better off people should do more to alleviate poverty. Everyone should read it."
Gilbert Harman, Princeton University
"Famine, Affluence and Morality, by a world renowned philosopher, is a must read, particularly for students and scholars of philosophy, sociology, and politics interested in world affairs, poverty and social justice."
International Dialogue, A Multidisciplinary Journal of World Affairs
Peter Singer is widely acknowledged as the father of the animal rights movement and one of the most renowned writers on contemporary ethics. He is co-founder of The Life You Can Save, an organization that aims to help those living in extreme poverty; and Animals Australia, that country’s largest and most effective animal organization. His many other books include Why Vegan?, The Life You Can Save, Writings on an Ethical Life, Rethinking Life and Death, and Practical Ethics. Since 1999, Singer has served as Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University’s Center for Human Values. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.
US: Oxford University Press