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Australian-born philosopher Peter Singer, once described by the New Yorker as”… the most controversial philosopher alive” will visit UWA on 14 July to give a public talk on what he calls ‘Effective Altruism’.

In his latest book The Most Good You Can Do (Text Publishing, 2015) Professor Singer presents this challenging new movement, which requires a rigorously unsentimental view of charitable giving.

Singer suggests that often donations that give us a self-satisfying ‘warm glow’ usually don’t save the greatest number of lives. By engaging in ‘Effective Altruism’ we ensure that a substantial proportion of our money or time should be donated to the organisations that will do the most good with those resources.

His argument presents a provocative and inspiring argument that is has already ignited huge debate.

In this special public event, to be held at The University of Western Australia’s Octagon Theatre, Professor Singer will describe his new philosophy, which will be followed by a conversation with Professor Carmen Lawrence, Director of the UWA Centre for the Study of Social Change.

Peter Singer is an Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and Laureate Professor in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. He is the author of more than twenty books.

The Most Good You Can Do will be available for sale on the night and Peter will be available to sign his book at the conclusion of the event.

Profit from the registration fees will be donated to charity partners, The Life You can Save, Oxfam Australia and the Fred Hollows Foundation.

The event is co-sponsored by the Institute of Advanced Studies and the Centre for the Study of Social Change at The University of Western Australia and Live on Stage Australia.

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WHAT: Public Talk - The Most Good You Can Do: An evening with Peter Singer

WHEN: Tuesday 14 July 2015, 6.30pm-8.30pm

WHERE: Octagon Theatre, UWA

COST: $25

BOOKINGS: www.ticketswa.com/event/peter-singer-most-good-you-can-do

Media references

Audrey Barton (Marketing and Communications Officer, UWA IAS)  (+61 8) 6488 4797