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Moral Progress Isn't Just Moral Circle Expansion

arjunpanickssery.substack.com · 517 words · saved by 1 readers

The only justifiable stopping place for for the expansion of altruism is the point at which all whose welfare can be affected by our actions are included within the circle of altruism. This means that all beings with the capacity to feel pleasure or pain should be included; we can improve their welfare by increasing their pleasures and diminishing their pains. Peter Singer, The Expanding Circle A lot of noise is made about moral circle expansion, the increase in the number of things included in the space of moral concern, whose interests are taken to account in moral calculus. Underneath is a historical argument: Historically, moral progress is associated with moral circle expansion. So we can accelerate moral progress by expanding our moral circle now. OpenPhilanthropy quotes Singer that “The circle of altruism has broadened from the family and tribe to the nation and race . . . to all human beings.” Michael Aird visualizes the expanding circle: (I guess some circle larger still must

The only justifiable stopping place for for the expansion of altruism is the point at which all whose welfare can be affected by our actions are included within the circle of altruism. This means that all beings with the capacity to feel pleasure or pain should be included; we can improve their welfare by increasing their pleasures and diminishing their pains. Peter Singer, The Expanding Circle A lot of noise is made about moral circle expansion, the increase in the number of things included in the space of moral concern, whose interests are taken to account in moral calculus. Underneath…

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