411 Quotes by Peter Singer

Being a bystander to suffering is not an option.

I don’t understand the notion that modern farming is anything do to with nature. It’s a pretty gross interference with nature.

Forests and meat animals compete for the same land. The prodigious appetite of the affluent nations for meat means that agribusiness can pay more than those who want to preserve or restore the forest. We are, quite literally, gambling with the future of our planet – for the sake of hamburgers.

So, basically, my view is I don’t want to support the exploitation of animals, and within reason, I will do what I can to avoid it, but it’s not like it’s a religion for me. It’s not like I consider I’m polluted if somehow some bit of milk or cheese or something passes my lips.

As we realize that more and more things have global impact, I think we’re going to get people increasingly wanting to get away from a purely national interest.

That’s a central part of philosophy, of ethics. What do I owe to strangers? What do I owe to my family? What is it to live a good life? Those are questions which we face as individuals.

If you go back in time you’ll find tribes that were essentially only concerned with their own tribal members. If you were a member of another tribe, you could be killed with impunity.

It’s also much clearer how much damage the occupation of Iraq is doing to America’s reputation and prestige around the world; and that’s just starting now to hit home in the United States.

Wages therefore tend to the lowest possible level compatible with keeping an adequate supply of workers alive.