How do we act morally in a complex world? And: should you really work yourself out to help others? A conversation with the philosopher Peter Singer about his approach of “effective altruism”.
On the table behind Peter Singer by the video switch in his Princeton office is a black bicycle helmet. The 75-year-old just doesn’t seem to tire: In 1975, “The Liberation of Animals”, his modern classic of animal ethics, appeared. This was followed by heated discussions about his positions on the value of embryos and newborns with disabilities. In 2015, the Australian presented the newly published book “Effective Altruism”, a philanthropic approach that evaluates charitable organizations based on their effectiveness and aligns social engagement with them. A global movement has now emerged from this. How does Peter Singer see effective altruism today? What does he reply to his critics? And what visions does he have for the future?