Peter Singer (@PeterSinger) is a personal inspiration to me. He is a well known Australian philosopher and author who has spent his entire life in pursuit of doing more good in the world.
Singer is perhaps best-known for his book Animal Liberation (1975), a highly influential book in the animal rights community, as well as his essay Famine, Affluence, and Morality. In 2004 Singer was recognized as the Australian Humanist of the Year. And in 2005 Time magazine named Singer one of the top 100 most influential people of the year.
His latest two books The Life You Can Save (2009), and The Most Good You Can Do (2015) explore how you can be a vehicle for change in the world – right now, and without giving up much. Both of which we’ve covered in previous episodes of On Books!
In our conversation we discuss:
- How can I do good in the world AND enjoy own life?
- What does it mean to do “the MOST good”?
- How can startups and business do more good?
- What was your experience like as one of the first people writing about animal rights back in the 70s?
My hope is that these three episodes of On Books will inspire you to unleash more good in the world – not only for others, but as you’ll see, for your own happiness and well being.
After spending time with Singer, he has opened my eyes to the idea that giving just a little money ($5.00) to the right causes (thelifeyoucansave.org) can be enough to save a human life. Now that I know what’s possible – it feels like I’ve had superpowers all along and just didn’t know it.
