Eastern spirituality and utilitarian philosophy meet in these unique
dialogues between a Buddhist monastic and a moral philosopher on such
issues as animal welfare, gender equality, the death penalty, and more
This eye-opening read spans the foundations of ethics and key Buddhist
concepts. Professor Peter Singer is a world-renowned moral philosopher
and preeminent voice in bioethics whose writings have helped shape the
animal rights and effective altruism movements. Venerable Shih Chao-Hwei
of Taiwan is a Buddhist monastic and social activist who's been a key
figure in the Buddhist gender equality movement. This unlikely duo came
together in conversation at a meditation retreat center in 2016 and
continued discussions in writing. They shed light on the intersection of
philosophy, religion, and day-to-day life. The result is an honest and
open exchange of ideas with thought-provoking perspectives on
- sex,
- abortion,
- euthanasia,
- war, and more.
The eight dialogues collected are genuine and intimate--and their words
have been presented here to offer readers a glimpse into this rare and
fascinating exchange on how to make the world a better place.