Philosopher Peter Singer's Controversial Views Linked to AI Doomerism
The architect of effective altruism, whose theories have influenced tech leaders, has previously advocated for bestiality and questioned the moral value of infant life.
Peter Singer, a philosopher known as the “father” of effective altruism (EA), a movement that has gained traction among artificial intelligence leaders, has previously expressed controversial views, including support for bestiality and questioning the moral value of newborn infants.
Singer, an Australian philosopher and bioethicist, has argued since the 1970s that traditional morality should be replaced by calculating and maximizing interests. His views have led him to suggest that killing disabled infants is not morally wrong, and that sex with animals could be preferable to raising them for food.
His writings, such as his 1979 book “Practical Ethics,” state that "the life of a newborn baby is of less value to it than the life of a pig, a dog, or a chimpanzee is to the nonhuman animal." He has also written that "killing a disabled infant is not morally equivalent to killing a person. Very often, it is not wrong at all."
Despite his advanced age, Singer's theories have been embraced by influential figures in the tech industry, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who are prominent in discussions about AI safety and potential existential risks.
Critics, such as Scott Walter, former Special Assistant for Domestic Policy to President George W. Bush and president of the Capital Research Center, argue that EA’s focus on calculating interests can lead to extreme conclusions. "In Peter Singer’s universe, there are no rights for anyone," Walter told The Post. "There is no right and wrong. There are only the interests that are claimed or the goals that we set."
Walter also drew parallels between Singer's views on euthanasia for disabled infants and Nazi Germany's euthanasia programs. He noted the tragic irony that Singer, whose grandparents were victims of the Holocaust, holds views that echo those of Hitler's physician.
Effective Altruism, which was popularized by Singer and coined by his former student William MacAskill, encourages individuals to maximize wealth and donate to causes based on calculations of maximum impact. However, critics like Parker Thayer, an investigative researcher at Capital Research Center, describe the movement as "reductionist" and a "doomsday cult."
Thayer explained that EA's focus on future potential lives can be overshadowed by the sheer number of future generations, leading to a framework where the present is devalued. This has shifted from concerns like climate change and animal rights to a more apocalyptic outlook, particularly concerning AI.
He noted that figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the now-defunct FTX cryptocurrency exchange, were early proponents who used EA principles to justify accumulating wealth, with the stated aim of maximizing future good. Bankman-Fried's organization focused on preventing pandemics before FTX's collapse and his subsequent conviction for fraud.
Thayer believes that the AI safety movement, or "AI doomerism," represents a continuation of this trend, serving as another potential apocalypse scenario. He argues that the lack of falsifiable predictions regarding AI's supposed doomsday capabilities makes it difficult to dismiss these concerns, unlike previous apocalyptic cults that dissolved when their prophecies failed.
Walter warned against granting AI doomers significant governmental power, suggesting that this could entrench their ideology. He also expressed skepticism that large AI corporations are primarily motivated by altruism, suggesting their interests may lie in preventing competition.
These discussions occur amidst statements from former President Trump, who has dismissed AI doomerism as a "hoax" and asserted that "the robots will not be taking over."
Peter Singer, Sam Altman, and Dario Amodei did not respond to requests for comment.