My Years at Princeton University (1999-2023) Some Reflections

On 6 December 2023, I gave my final lecture at Princeton University. In my speech, I reflect on the approaching end of my tenure at Princeton University, starting with the controversy that marked my appointment in 1999 – an appointment that received significant media attention and was met with protests, especially from disability rights groups. I describe my academic life at Princeton, highlighting my contributions to ethical theory and my major publications on practical ethics and the ethics of our treatment of animals. I also mention my role in founding the Journal of Controversial Ideas, emphasizing my commitment to freedom of thought and discussion. Throughout my speech, I reflect on the stimulating experience of teaching at Princeton, particularly the value of bringing in speakers with whom I disagree so that undergraduates can see that it is possible to have a civil and enlightening discussion with people with strongly opposed ethical views. I discuss my role in promoting effective altruism, especially through my book The Life You Can Save and the subsequent founding of the organization with the same name. I conclude by urging students to pursue careers that are impactful and ethically sound, drawing on my experiences and those of others as guiding examples. Enjoy!
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[JohnMcLaughlin]

Appreciate this lecture being made available on YouTube. Thank you.

[MarkDeVriesStudio]

It's difficult to overstate Peter Singer's influence on the world, from the animal rights movement to the effective altruism movement. We hope more and more people will read his groundbreaking work - from "Famine, Affluence, and Morality" to "Animal Liberation Now."

[majhessel]

Subscribed! Thank u for all your efforts for animal rights.

[NathanNobis]

Thank you for being such a positive influence for so many people!

[ByrdNick]

Very few philosophers are useful. Peter Singer is an outstanding exception: Singer’s arguments have convinced many thousands of people to commit their lives to do the most good possible. Even if I disagree with him about some things, I can’t dispute that he’s done more good with his life than I can probably do with mine.

[tfburns]

Lovely idea to start this channel, Peter. I look forward to watching more videos!
Best from Melbourne :)

[jakec]

Thank you for uploading this to YouTube! I look forward to your upcoming podcast series & videos in the future!

[EdwardAveyard]

How many philosophers of ethics have tried to live a good life for all to see? Whether you agree with Peter Singer's books or not, his actions speak louder than words.

[JohnChampagne]

My life is different, is better, because I took an English class (Critical Reading and Writing) wherein the professor chose for study 'Animal Liberation'.

I hope to see moral philosophers, and others, call for an honest economic system, and for equal sharing of natural wealth. A fee charged to industries proportional to extraction of natural resources, emission of pollutants and destruction of wildlife habitat would cause profit to align with sustainability. Sharing proceeds from fees would end poverty.

Random polls can reveal when environmental impact fees are high enough (when impacts of various kinds are low enough). We can imagine (and create) a survey process that allows poll respondents time to ponder questions, to research and discover what trusted experts say on the topic under consideration, and that invite dialogue among citizens who are considering similar questions. A process that encourages reflection and dialogue will likely produce better results when deciding appropriate limits to various kinds of impact on the environment.

[brightstar]

I think given time you will garner many subscribers

[pazacevedo]

I love that you have a YouTube now! Are you going to start doing gameplays

[ByrdNick]

There’s something ironic about expressing confusion about people who overpay for prestige goods to an auditorium full mostly of people who are overpaying for prestige education.