Peter Singer and objective ethics

[unkleE]

I have just come across this report in which famed (or maligned) ethicist Peter Singer thinks again about preference utilitarianism.

Apparently the issue of climate change has assisted him in these thoughts, because it raises several issues which his form of utilitarianism cannot properly address. He is quoted as saying:

"I have found myself unable to maintain with any confidence that the position I took in the previous edition – based solely on preference utilitarianism – offers a satisfactory answer to these quandaries."

As a result, he is re-considering objective ethics, even saying he "regretted" not being able to believe in God because that is the only valid way to base an objective ethic and believe we should obey it.

[fortigurn]

Most interesting, thanks.

[ignorantianescia]

The page Mark Vernon linked to seems to have some interesting videos:

mcdonaldcentre.org.uk/resources/peter-singer-conference/

I'm still watching the first video (in which Peter Singer speaks), but I'll be sure to check the others as well.

[captainzman]

Well, I'm happy that Singer has decided to reconsider his stance on the issue, but...

Climate change is the motivating force behind this decision? Really? Not something like, I don't know, reconsidering his beliefs on infanticide? (I should add that I do think climate change is something worth thinking about, but I think it is much less troubling than most people).