Annual Philosophy Lecture 2022

In the first part of the lecture, Peter Singer shall argue that our treatment of animals is “speciesist.” He shall explain the concept of “speciesism” and indicate why it is not an ethically defensible view.  Instead, he shall argue, we owe nonhuman animals equal consideration of their interests, and he shall describe the changes this view requires in our present practices regarding animals.  He shall focus especially on industrial animal production, and its consequences for animals, and conclude this section by considering the case for veganism.

In the second part of the lecture, Peter Singer shall describe the ethical foundation of the recent movement known as “Effective Altruism,” focusing especially on the issue of extreme poverty, and what we in the affluent world ought to do about it, but also looking at other issues raised by effective altruists, including the argument for taking a very long-term view, and seeking to reduce the risk of human extinction.