Philosopher · Contemporary
Peter Singer
b. 1946 · Utilitarian bioethics
An atheist utilitarian; the most influential living bioethicist and the Church's clearest opponent on the sanctity of life.
Singer's Animal Liberation condemned “speciesism”; Practical Ethics argued that personhood depends on capacities such as self-awareness, so that abortion, infanticide of disabled newborns and euthanasia can be justified; “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” demanded that the affluent give until it hurts, founding the effective-altruism movement. Later he moved from preference to hedonistic utilitarianism and to moral realism.
Why he matters: Evangelium Vitae's defense of the sanctity of every human life, and the Church's teaching on the dignity of the disabled and dying, are stated against exactly his position; Charles Camosy's dialogue shows where a Catholic can nonetheless agree (poverty, animals, consumption).
Where to be careful
The justification of abortion, infanticide and euthanasia is the “culture of death” condemned in Evangelium Vitae 57–65 and Dignitas Infinita; utilitarianism denies intrinsically evil acts (Veritatis Splendor 71–83); personhood by capacities denies the soul and the image of God in every human being (CCC 356–358, 2270); his atheism is contrary to Dei Filius.
Reading
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Practical EthicsPeter Singer · The chapters on taking life state the position the Church opposes.
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Famine, Affluence, and MoralityPeter Singer · The essay that founded effective altruism.
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Peter Singer and Christian Ethics: Beyond PolarizationCharles C. Camosy · A Catholic moral theologian's fair engagement.
Documented positions
Where this thinker stands on each dispute the test covers.