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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Clear, straightforward, and a quick read. But in some ways not easy to read. Peter Singer certainly succeeded at making me think about the considerable privileges and luxuries I enjoy compared with the majority of the world's population, and how I could be doing more to alleviate suffering.
In The Life You Can Save, Peter Singer puts forth a highly convincing argument based on the maxim "a human life is of equal value to each and every other human life." Because we live in a globalized economy and a world in which extreme wealth inequality is widely apparent, he argues, individuals who reside in countries with a relatively high standards of living are thus morally obligated to donate a significant portion of their income to quite literally save the lives of those in need.
Although the arguments presented in the first couple chapters and the last chapter of this book are well-crafted, though-provoking, and at times, inspiring, I found the content covered in the middle chapters to be somewhat disjointed and lacking sufficiently thorough analysis. Although Singer seems to have the best of intentions, his commentary does come off as slightly self-righteous, which may be off putting for some. That said, the last chapter of the book wonderfully encapsulates Singer's overall message -- to give more to those in need than you did yesterday.
Although the arguments presented in the first couple chapters and the last chapter of this book are well-crafted, though-provoking, and at times, inspiring, I found the content covered in the middle chapters to be somewhat disjointed and lacking sufficiently thorough analysis. Although Singer seems to have the best of intentions, his commentary does come off as slightly self-righteous, which may be off putting for some. That said, the last chapter of the book wonderfully encapsulates Singer's overall message -- to give more to those in need than you did yesterday.
reflective
sad
fast-paced
A friend suggested this book to me and I feel guilty not liking it. Maybe it could be a wake up call for those that never think about the poor, but it just made me feel guilty for not doing more. Did have some interesting case studies and examples.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
One of the central texts of Effective Altruism. It's a methodical argument in favor of the richer portion of the world giving a lot more than they already do to the poorer portion of the world. The author is a moral philosopher, and I see that in the sometimes condescending, sterile tone.
The first half takes the argument to an extreme, concluding that the morally right thing is to give until it would cause harm to yourself comparable to the harm the world's poor are experiencing.
In the second half, he walks that back and proposes a less extreme standard of giving.
I see parallels to the question of offsetting your carbon footprint. How can you know you're doing the most good without unintended consequences? Isn't it unfair if you do your part but others don't? Isn't the better solution political change, rather than individual action?
He addresses just about all the critiques I've heard, but I still find talking about effective altruism with others to be pretty harrowing. I find it almost impossible not to come off as condescending.
The first half takes the argument to an extreme, concluding that the morally right thing is to give until it would cause harm to yourself comparable to the harm the world's poor are experiencing.
In the second half, he walks that back and proposes a less extreme standard of giving.
I see parallels to the question of offsetting your carbon footprint. How can you know you're doing the most good without unintended consequences? Isn't it unfair if you do your part but others don't? Isn't the better solution political change, rather than individual action?
He addresses just about all the critiques I've heard, but I still find talking about effective altruism with others to be pretty harrowing. I find it almost impossible not to come off as condescending.