Ethics in the Real World

1. Ethics extends beyond rule-following to actively doing good

We all make ethical choices, often without being conscious of doing so.

Proactive ethics. Ethics is not merely about following rules or avoiding wrongdoing. It involves actively seeking opportunities to do good and reduce suffering in the world. This includes considering our obligations to future generations, non-human animals, and people in extreme poverty.

Utilitarian approach. Singer advocates for utilitarianism - the ethical theory that we should act to maximize overall well-being and minimize suffering. This often leads to counterintuitive conclusions that challenge conventional morality. For example, it suggests we have strong obligations to donate large portions of our income to effective charities.

Expanding moral circle. Throughout history, we have gradually expanded our sphere of moral consideration beyond our immediate tribe. Singer argues we should continue this trend, extending ethical consideration to animals and even potential artificial sentiences of the future.

2. Animal welfare demands urgent attention and action

Factory farming is an ethical issue, because an increase in weight by some imposes costs on others.

Immense scale of suffering. The number of animals suffering on factory farms dwarfs other sources of suffering. Billions of sentient creatures endure lives of extreme confinement, distress, and pain.

Cognitive dissonance. Most people claim to care about animal welfare, yet continue to support factory farming through their dietary choices. Singer challenges us to align our actions with our stated values.

• Practical steps:
  • Reduce or eliminate consumption of animal products
  • Support stronger animal welfare laws
  • Raise awareness about factory farming practices

Expanding circle of compassion. Recognizing the moral status of animals is part of humanity's ethical progress. Just as we now view past acceptance of human slavery as abhorrent, future generations may judge our treatment of animals similarly.

3. End-of-life decisions should prioritize quality over quantity

When questions were raised about how the statement about uranium was allowed to remain in Bush's State of the Union address, both National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld argued that it was not a lie.

Quality over longevity. In end-of-life care, the focus should be on quality of life rather than merely extending it. This may mean choosing palliative care over aggressive treatments in some cases.

Autonomy in dying. Singer argues for the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own end-of-life care, including the option of voluntary euthanasia in cases of terminal illness or extreme suffering.

Resource allocation. Society must grapple with how to allocate limited healthcare resources. Extending the lives of the very elderly or terminally ill at great expense may not be the most ethical use of resources when compared to other health interventions that could save or improve many more lives.

4. Global poverty requires effective altruism and evidence-based interventions

If it comes to a clash between the supposed interests of potentially rational but not yet even conscious beings and the vital interests of actually rational women, we should give preference to the women every time.

Moral imperative. Given the extreme suffering caused by global poverty and our ability to help at relatively low cost to ourselves, Singer argues we have a strong moral obligation to donate significantly to effective poverty-reduction efforts.

Evidence-based giving. Not all charities are equally effective. We should direct our donations to organizations with proven track records of improving lives in measurable ways. Organizations like GiveWell help identify the most cost-effective interventions.

• Examples of highly effective interventions:
  • Distributing insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria
  • Deworming treatments for children
  • Direct cash transfers to people in extreme poverty

Expanding impact. By promoting the ideas of effective altruism, we can multiply our impact. Inspiring others to give more effectively can potentially do even more good than our own direct donations.

5. Climate change necessitates immediate global cooperation

If we are not to be totally reckless with our planet's climate, we cannot burn all the coal, oil, and natural gas that we have already located.

Existential threat. Climate change poses a potentially catastrophic risk to human civilization and countless species. The stakes could not be higher, yet our response remains woefully inadequate.

Tragedy of the commons. Addressing climate change requires overcoming collective action problems on a global scale. No single country can solve the problem alone, yet each has incentives to free-ride on others' efforts.

Ethical imperatives:

• Rapidly transition away from fossil fuels
• Put a price on carbon emissions
• Invest heavily in clean energy research and development
• Assist developing nations in sustainable development
• Consider personal choices like reducing meat consumption and air travel

6. Technological advances bring both promises and ethical challenges

If one believes that life was created by God, then this comes as close to "playing God" as humans have come, so far.

Dual-use dilemma. Many technological advances have the potential for both great benefit and great harm. We must carefully consider the ethical implications of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.

Existential risk. Some technologies pose potential existential risks to humanity. We have a moral imperative to ensure the long-term survival and flourishing of our species and the broader community of sentient life.

Proactive ethics. Rather than merely reacting to ethical challenges as they arise, we should proactively shape the development of new technologies to align with human values and well-being. This requires integrating ethical considerations into scientific research and technological development from the outset.

7. Democratic institutions need reform to better serve the public interest

If we think that democracy is a good thing, then we must believe that the public should know as much as possible about what the government it elects is doing.

Transparency and accountability. Healthy democracies require informed citizens and transparent governance. We should be deeply skeptical of government secrecy and support whistleblowers who expose misconduct.

Campaign finance reform. The outsized influence of money in politics distorts democratic representation. Reforms are needed to reduce the power of special interests and ensure politicians are responsive to their constituents rather than donors.

Voting systems. Alternative voting systems like ranked-choice voting or proportional representation may better reflect the will of the people and reduce political polarization.

8. Personal choices have far-reaching ethical implications

If you die through mistakes in moral reasoning, you are as dead as if you die through mistakes in medicine.

Ethical consumerism. Our purchasing decisions have ethical implications that ripple far beyond our immediate circle. We should consider the environmental and social impacts of the products we buy.

Career choice. The career we pursue can have an enormous impact on the world. Choosing a career that allows us to do the most good - whether through direct impact or by earning to give - is an important ethical consideration.

Lifestyle decisions. Choices about diet, transportation, family size, and charitable giving all have significant ethical implications when considered in aggregate. We should critically examine our habits and align them with our values.

Last updated: November 14, 2024