Conversations with History: Peter Singer

(Visit: www.uctv.tv/) Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Princeton philosopher Peter Singer for a discussion of utilitarianism and its implications for ethical conduct and social change. The conversation focuses on Singer's contribution to the public discourse on animal rights, poverty, and bioethics. Series: "Conversations with History" [6/2012] [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 23909]

[@ephemerol]

terrific conversation and interviewer, thank you to both.

[@beaelliott]

Such powerful and valuable ideas from such a soft spoken man - Truly a voice of reason!

[@spinycrayfish]

The open credits looked and sounded so 80's!

[@maslater1313]

Brilliant man.

[@pamelabibby7170]

MICHELE MCCOWAN YOUR SICK TO SINGER IS LIKE ROLPH HARRIS

[@chebob2009]

I'm not very well versed in moral philosophy but I'd love to know what Singer thinks (or anyone interested) about the idea that preference utilitarianism actually doesn't work because the best possible outcome is rarely what a person thinks they prefer. It's a complete minefield of an idea and probably one that can't really be applied practically.

[@rimburemus7587]

Singer abandoned preference utilitarianism as of a couple of years ago, as far as I know

[@danilo83rocks]

brillant!

[@Worldofvegan]

[@TomasMikaX]

You say there are low chances of finding a "lovely and caring girl" that's also vegan. In what sense did you use a utilitarian perspective to estimate these chances?

[@ceejaywt]

im vegan but loved ur comment

[@2leet2cheet]

Animal liberation is taught.

[@TomasMikaX]

In what sense can you use a utilitarian perspective to determine your chances of finding a lovely and caring girl that's also vegan?

[@TomasMikaX]

You didn't answer my question at all.

[@s0673451]

What the fuck?! Why have they got rid of the classic music?!

[@lenzorg]

It is a shame. T.T It's the same song though.

[@AtheismTheNewGimmickAmerica]

“Clearly, there were moral flaws in the setting up of the state of Israel without proper consultation and participation by Palestinians,” he says. “But that was a long time ago now, and I think that instead of looking backwards, we should try to work out the best solution for all those living in Israel and the occupied territories.”
He has occasionally ventured from academia into activism, signing a petition in 2010 renouncing his right of return to Israel because it is “a form of racist privilege that abets the colonial oppression of the Palestinians”.

[@AtheismTheNewGimmickAmerica]

As much as I don't like other things he has said about infants and sex with animals, he at least carries through with his thoughts across to Israel which is a rarity of these Talmud pushers in Atheist garb.

[@pamelabibby7170]

ANTI ABORNISTS ARE HERE AGAIN YOU WILL GET WHAT U DESERVE SINGER IT WILL ALL COME BACK TO YOU

[@Vegarchy]

Haha. I'm vegan but I thought your comment was funny nonetheless.

[@2leet2cheet]

That doesn't even make sense.

[@TomasMikaX]

That's a bit sexist.

[@Tamizushi]

First, the word you are searching for is not utility but utilitarianism and second if an action leads to greater harm for a larger number of people it's by definition wrong according to utilitarianism so the fact that you think that utilitarianism justifies policies that will lead to a "greater number of poor" tells me that you don't know what you are talking about.