Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

30 Inspiring Quotes By Peter Singer That Might Make A World Of Difference

Famous As: Australian Philosopher Who is Known for His Book ‘Animal Liberation’
Born On: 1946
Born In: Melbourne, Australia
Age: 78 Years
Peter Singer is a popular Australian moral philosopher. He is renowned for his essay ‘Famine, Affluence, and Morality’ where he talks about helping the underprivileged. He is also known for ‘Animal Liberation,’ a book that he has written in favour of vegetarianism. He is a Laureate Professor at ‘University of Melbourne’ at the ‘Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics.’ He was a preference utilitarian for almost his entire career, but he declared that he had become a hedonistic utilitarian in ‘The Point of The View of the Universe.'  He applies utilitarian and secular perspective while dealing with ethical issues, and is a specialist of applied ethics. We have rounded some popular quotes and sayings by the activist-philosopher, which have been excerpted from his thoughts, views, writings, essays, books, works and life. Following are the notable quotes and thoughts by Peter Singer, the man who is celebrated for fathering the ‘animal liberation’ movement.
All the arguments to prove man's superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering the animals are our equals.

All the arguments to prove man's superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering the animals are our equals.

Peter Singer
If possessing a higher degree of intelligence does not entitle one human to use another for his or her own ends, how can it entitle humans to exploit non-humans?

If possessing a higher degree of intelligence does not entitle one human to use another for his or her own ends, how can it entitle humans to exploit non-humans?

Peter Singer
The notion that human life is sacred just because it is human life is medieval.

The notion that human life is sacred just because it is human life is medieval.

Peter Singer
What one generation finds ridiculous, the next accepts; and the third shudders when it looks back on what the first did.

What one generation finds ridiculous, the next accepts; and the third shudders when it looks back on what the first did.

Peter Singer
If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it.

If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it.

Peter Singer
Hebrew word for

Hebrew word for "charity" tzedakah, simply means "justice" and as this suggests, for Jews, giving to the poor is no optional extra but an essential part of living a just life.

Peter Singer
We are, quite literally, gambling with the future of our planet- for the sake of hamburgers

We are, quite literally, gambling with the future of our planet- for the sake of hamburgers

Peter Singer
Extreme poverty is not only a condition of unsatisfied material needs. It is often accompanied by a degrading state of powerlessness.

Extreme poverty is not only a condition of unsatisfied material needs. It is often accompanied by a degrading state of powerlessness.

Peter Singer
To give preference to the life of a being simply because that being is a member of our species would put us in the same position as racists who give preference to those who are members of their race.

To give preference to the life of a being simply because that being is a member of our species would put us in the same position as racists who give preference to those who are members of their race.

Peter Singer
The prescription of the equality of human beings is not a description of an alleged actual equality among humans: it is a prescription of how we should treat human beings.

The prescription of the equality of human beings is not a description of an alleged actual equality among humans: it is a prescription of how we should treat human beings.

Peter Singer
We have to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.

We have to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.

Peter Singer
Personal purity isn’t really the issue. Not supporting animal abuse – and persuading others not to support it – is.

Personal purity isn’t really the issue. Not supporting animal abuse – and persuading others not to support it – is.

Peter Singer
Faith cannot tell us who is right and who is wrong, because each will simply assert that his or her faith is the true one.

Faith cannot tell us who is right and who is wrong, because each will simply assert that his or her faith is the true one.

Peter Singer
It takes twenty-one pounds of protein fed to a calf to produce a single pound of animal protein for humans. We get back less than 5 percent of what we put in.

It takes twenty-one pounds of protein fed to a calf to produce a single pound of animal protein for humans. We get back less than 5 percent of what we put in.

Peter Singer
Cheats prosper until there are enough who bear grudges against them to make sure they do not prosper.

Cheats prosper until there are enough who bear grudges against them to make sure they do not prosper.

Peter Singer
If we are prepared to take the life of another being merely in order to satisfy our taste for a particular type of food, then that being is no more than a means to our end.

If we are prepared to take the life of another being merely in order to satisfy our taste for a particular type of food, then that being is no more than a means to our end.

Peter Singer
The world would be a much simpler place if one could bring about social change merely by making a logically consistent moral argument.

The world would be a much simpler place if one could bring about social change merely by making a logically consistent moral argument.

Peter Singer
It is a mistake to assume that the law should always enforce morality.

It is a mistake to assume that the law should always enforce morality.

Peter Singer
The unchallenged assumption is that humans may use animals for their own purposes, and they may raise and kill them to satisfy their preference for a diet containing animal flesh.

The unchallenged assumption is that humans may use animals for their own purposes, and they may raise and kill them to satisfy their preference for a diet containing animal flesh.

Peter Singer
...it is in the rightness of our cause, and not the fear of our bombs, that our prospects of victory lie.

...it is in the rightness of our cause, and not the fear of our bombs, that our prospects of victory lie.

Peter Singer
If our life has no meaning other than our own happiness, we are likely to find that when we have obtained what we think we need to be happy, happiness itself still eludes us.

If our life has no meaning other than our own happiness, we are likely to find that when we have obtained what we think we need to be happy, happiness itself still eludes us.

Peter Singer
Why [..] should the boundary of sacrosanct life match the boundary of our species?

Why [..] should the boundary of sacrosanct life match the boundary of our species?

Peter Singer
What we must do is bring nonhuman animals within our sphere of moral concern and cease to treat their lives as expendable for whatever trivial purposes we may have.

What we must do is bring nonhuman animals within our sphere of moral concern and cease to treat their lives as expendable for whatever trivial purposes we may have.

Peter Singer
If you are paying for something to drink when safe drinking water comes out of the tap, you have money to spend on things you don’t really need.

If you are paying for something to drink when safe drinking water comes out of the tap, you have money to spend on things you don’t really need.

Peter Singer
If doing the most you can for others means that you are also flourishing, then that is the best possible outcome for everyone.

If doing the most you can for others means that you are also flourishing, then that is the best possible outcome for everyone.

Peter Singer
But pain is pain, and the importance of preventing unnecessary pain and suffering does not diminish because the being

But pain is pain, and the importance of preventing unnecessary pain and suffering does not diminish because the being

Peter Singer
What she really wants is a place with more tolerance for differences, less emphasis on materialism, where people value creativity and are interested in working on issues relating to peace and justice.

What she really wants is a place with more tolerance for differences, less emphasis on materialism, where people value creativity and are interested in working on issues relating to peace and justice.

Peter Singer
We do not have to make self-sacrifice a necessary element of altruism. We can regard people as altruists because of the kind of interests they have rather than because they are sacrificing their interests.

We do not have to make self-sacrifice a necessary element of altruism. We can regard people as altruists because of the kind of interests they have rather than because they are sacrificing their interests.

Peter Singer
Reason is inherently expansionist. It seeks universal application.

Reason is inherently expansionist. It seeks universal application.

Peter Singer
We think of lions and wolves as savage because they kill; but they must kill, or starve. Humans kill other animals for sport, to satisfy their curiosity, to beautify their bodies, and to please their palates.

We think of lions and wolves as savage because they kill; but they must kill, or starve. Humans kill other animals for sport, to satisfy their curiosity, to beautify their bodies, and to please their palates.

Peter Singer