For those of us who have the great fortune to live in material comfort and still have money or time to spare, we feel a natural impulse to be altruistic to others. But what is the most effective way to give and how do we do ‘the most good’? The School of Life and Text Publishing are proud to present Peter Singer and Leslie Cannold in this unique event exploring how we can make the biggest impact with our altruistic tendencies.

In his latest book, The Most Good You Can Do, Peter Singer explores the idea of ‘Effective Altruism’ in the search for an ethical life. Effective altruism is based on a very simple idea: we should do the most good we can. But what counts as ‘the most good’? How do we balance emotional and practical concerns when trying to do good? How should we feel about making donations that give us a self-satisfying ‘warm glow’ but don’t save the greatest number of lives? Does everyone’s suffering count equally? What about other values, like justice, freedom, equality and knowledge?

This event is a unique opportunity to hear acclaimed moral philosopher Peter Singer explore the provocative concepts in his latest work. Peter will be joined by author, ethicist and TSOL faculty member Leslie Cannold, who will explore how we can best use these ideas in our everyday lives.

This event is presented in collaboration with Text Publishing. Signed copies of Peter Singer’s new book The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically will be available for purchase on the evening.

Please note that this event will include Auslan interpretation.

ABOUT PETER SINGER

Peter Singer is an Ira W DeCamp Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University, and Laureate Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne. He is the author of more than twenty books, including The Life You Can Save. Singer was born in Australia. He divides his time between New York City and Melbourne.

ABOUT LESLIE CANNOLD

Dr Leslie Cannold is an award-wining author, ethicist and sought after keynote speaker and panel presenter. She has been noted by The Power Index and Fairfax as one of Australia’s most influential thinkers and most influential Melbourne women. In 2011 Leslie was honoured as Australian Humanist of the Year. Leslie is a regular guest on ABC TV’s Moral Compass, an adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of International Business and Asian Studies at Griffith University and Senior Lecturer at the Gender, Leadership & Social Sustainability Research Unit at Monash. The author of non-fiction books The Abortion Myth and What, No Baby, Leslie’s latest book is an historical novel, The Book of Rachael, published by Text.