Lecture Notes: Ethical Issues by Peter Singer

Introduction

• Philosophers strive to understand the world and how we ought to live.
• Key questions include:
  • Fundamental principles of action.
  • Whether to follow moral rules strictly.
  • Consideration of rights and consequences of actions.
  • These questions focus on ethics, distinct from scientific inquiries.

Current Ethical Issues

• Three main ethical issues discussed:
  1. Global poverty
  2. Climate change
  3. Treatment of animals

Global Poverty

• Key question: What should individuals do to help those in extreme poverty?
• Assumes the individual is from an affluent country with disposable income.
• Ethical considerations:
  • Spending on non-essentials vs. aiding those in need.
  • Reflect on ethical responsibility towards people in extreme poverty.

Climate Change

• Acknowledged as real and primarily caused by human activity.
• Urgent actions needed to avert catastrophic impacts.
• Individual contributions:
  • Reduce personal greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Transportation choices: biking, walking, public transit.
  • Energy conservation: moderate air conditioning.
  • Dietary changes: reducing meat consumption (veganism or reducitarianism).
• Collective action: Political engagement to pressure leaders for systemic change.

Treatment of Animals

• Moral status of animals in question.
• Current status: Animals are considered property, lacking legal rights.
• Ethical concern:
  • Speciesism compared to racism and sexism.
  • Moving beyond prejudices against non-human species.
  • Animals' ability to feel and live well should not be ignored.
• Individual actions:
  • Assess complicity in animal suffering through consumption.
  • Consider transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.
  • Reducing animal product consumption also aids in combating climate change.