Main content

How can we live an ethical life?

Australian philosopher Peter Singer talks to Nuala McGovern about his radical ideas as he’s awarded the Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture.

Is it unethical to eat animals? Can you be a good person if you have spare money and don’t give any of it to charity? What is the moral response to the war in Ukraine?

Nuala McGovern is in Los Angeles to talk to Australian Philosopher and Berggruen Prize winner Prof Peter Singer, who has spent his career grappling with these difficult questions. He’s been described as the world’s most influential philosopher and, on one occasion, as the world’s most dangerous man.

He explains what it means to him to live an ethical life and discusses some of his often controversial ideas including animal rights, euthanasia, the right to life and his stance on abortion in light of the news that the US Supreme Court may overturn Roe vs Wade.

We also hear from philosophers, animal rights activists and our World Service listeners around the world, who have questions for Prof Singer.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Olivia Skinner

Available now

50 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 May 2022 11:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 21 May 2022 18:06GMT
  • Sat 21 May 2022 19:06GMT
  • Sun 22 May 2022 11:06GMT