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The Life You Can Save: How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty Paperback – September 14, 2010

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Peter Singer (Author)
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4.5 out of 5 stars 99 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks; Reprint edition (September 14, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0812981561
  • ISBN-13: 978-0812981568
  • Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.2 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsAnother cogent and timely argument from Singer
By Nick on March 15, 2009
Format: Hardcover
In high school philosophy, we read Singer's brief article that has been called the "Singer Solution to Poverty," (actually entitled "Famine, Affluence, and Morality"). I first read it in 2001 but he authored it in 1971. It changed the way I think of poverty.

"The Life You Can Save" is an extrapolation of the above-mentioned argument, and a response to the critics who dismissed his 1971 argument as unfair, unrealistic or simply unnecessary.

His credentials: Singer has been lecturing, writing and researching world poverty for more than 30 years, and, as with his 30-year study and defense of animal rights, Singer is able to convince most any reasonable critic that his positions have unassailable merit.

You can simplify this book's thesis by saying that if you fail to share the part of your income that is beyond what you need for a comfortable life, then that failure to share is a moral wrongdoing. In other words, if you can meet all of your shelter, food, education, transportation and other practical needs with $200 weekly, then any additional dollars you make above $200 should be given to responsible charities like Oxfam or to low-interest micro-lending institutions like Yunus's Grameen Bank.

So, whom do you share your money with? With what Singer calls the "extreme poor"-- those with little access to food or clean water, health care, education, protection from guerrilla warfare, etc. (Check out sites like Give Well and Charity Navigator to help determine which groups make the most of your money.) This is in contrast to Europe's and North America's "relative poor" who are hard-off, but still usually have shelter and clean water/food.

One way I like to describe his thesis is as a `redefinition of luxury.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsA brilliant work of philosophy that everyone should read!
By Travis M. Timmerman on March 11, 2009
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
In this relatively short book, Professor Singer makes an extremely compelling case for why it is morally obligatory for capable individuals to aid beings that suffer. Those that are familiar with his previous work will recognize his basic arguments on poverty, which he has been expanding upon for over three decades. For those who are unfamiliar with Peter Singer, the argument he expands upon in this book is quoted as follows...

1.) "Suffering and death from lack of food, shelter and medical care are bad."
2.) "If it is in your power to prevent something bad from happening, without sacrificing anything nearly as important, it is wrong not to do so."
3.) "By donating to aid agencies, you can prevent suffering and death from lack of food, shelter and medical care, without sacrificing anything nearly as important."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Conclusion - "Therefore, if you do not donate to aid agencies, you are doing something wrong."

This argument is valid, and I think sound, so if one is to reject the conclusion, one MUST reject one (or more) of the premises. If they accept the premises, then they MUST accept the conclusion.

Professor Singer's logic is solid throughout. His writing is both lucid and entertaining, making this work accessible, absorbing and crucially important to philosophers and philosophical novices alike. This is simply a must read for everyone.
11 Comments 57 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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5.0 out of 5 starsA brilliant piece of philosophical writing that everyone should read...
By Travis M. Timmerman on September 22, 2010
Format: Paperback
In this relatively short book, Professor Singer makes an extremely compelling case for why it is morally obligatory for capable individuals to aid beings that suffer. Those that are familiar with his previous work will recognize his basic arguments on poverty, which he has been expanding upon for over three decades. For those who are unfamiliar with Peter Singer, the argument he expands upon in this book is quoted as follows...

1.) "Suffering and death from lack of food, shelter and medical care are bad."
2.) "If it is in your power to prevent something bad from happening, without sacrificing anything nearly as important, it is wrong not to do so."
3.) "By donating to aid agencies, you can prevent suffering and death from lack of food, shelter and medical care, without sacrificing anything nearly as important."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Conclusion - "Therefore, if you do not donate to aid agencies, you are doing something wrong."

This argument is valid, and I think sound, so if one is to reject the conclusion, one MUST reject one (or more) of the premises. If they accept the premises, then they MUST accept the conclusion.

Professor Singer's logic is solid throughout. His writing is both lucid and entertaining, making this work accessible, absorbing and crucially important to philosophers and philosophical novices alike. This is simply a must read for everyone.
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4.0 out of 5 starsTruth be told....
By Luca Graziuso and Marina Ross on April 15, 2012
Format: Paperback
In "The Life You can Save" Peter Singer adopts his trademark utilitarian approach and consequentialist calculus to ethical issues that present themselves in globalization. The simplicity of his arguments and the conversationalist tone he employs make it very accessible to the widest audience possible. That is not to say that he is not engaged in current ethical debates, and that is not to imply that his metaethical foundations are not up-to-date. At times he seems to be reproaching the status quo and the comfort we rationalize, whereas often enough he makes all of us complicitous for those dying of hunger a world away. It is often contested that he lacks common sense, or that the demands he proposes as morally sanctioned purport sacrifices that are excessive; it is often stated that he is too simplistic or naive. What needs to be emphasized, however, is that Singer recognizes that the way we live now is irrational, incoherent and selfish. Perhaps that's what humans are but we should not try to apologize for how we live, rather accept his criticism, and acknowledge that we simply don't care that much. Albeit we should be honest enough to own up to the consequences that are spawned from the way we prioritize and compartmentalize. There is much one may disagree with; there are many ways to circumvent his thesis; there are alternatives that construct less demanding ethical standards; and there are details that may be contested or refuted as either utopian or too rigid. Truth be told Singer speaks the voice of reason, and his arguments need to be somehow dismissed otherwise we'd feel a sense of guilt overcome us... We'll find a way to not listen to him!!! This book is not specifically intended for an academic audience: it is intended for thinking, feeling human beings who wish to somehow stop the madness...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Changed my life.

Published 27 days ago by Ryan
5.0 out of 5 starsWorth reading and buying a second copy to pass along ...

Worth reading and buying a second copy to pass along! Every now and then I pick up a used copy for $0.01 to pass along to promote high impact charitable giving.

Published 2 months ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

A must read for anyone who is concerned with extreme poverty.

Published 3 months ago by Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsIt's a quick read, and has the potential to change how you see the...

Singer has opened my eyes to the idea that giving just a little money ($5.00) to the right causes (thelifeyoucansave.org) can be enough to save a human life. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Chris
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Informative, thought provoking and well-written!

Published 3 months ago by tobi
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Yes!

Published 5 months ago by maria acle
5.0 out of 5 starsAn Important Book.

I picked this book for my book club. Yes, we also read novels and best sellers. But this was a very meaningful and important read.

Published 6 months ago by MichaelC
5.0 out of 5 stars... this book and gifting it to friends because it's great. everyone...

I keep buying this book and gifting it to friends because it's great. everyone should read it.

Published 7 months ago by Deanna
5.0 out of 5 stars5/5

Excellent book. Highly recommended. :)

Published 8 months ago by Josh
5.0 out of 5 starsMy Review

A great understanding of the debate over poverty in the world and promoting aid to those who are in poverty. Great read!

Published 10 months ago by Austin Ray Bradley

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