Review of Peter Singer, Rethinking Life and Death: the Collapse of our Traditional Ethics

Abstract

Ethical discourse increasingly grapples with the perceived inadequacy of traditional moral frameworks in the face of modern dilemmas. While moral wisdom is frequently presented as foundational to a flourishing life, the specific relationship between virtue, self-knowledge, and personal benefit remains under-theorized, particularly regarding whether virtue is a necessary component of the good life. In the realm of applied ethics, the traditional sanctity-of-life doctrine faces significant challenges from reformist approaches that advocate for a quality-of-life metric. These shifts address complexities in brain death, neonatal care, and assisted suicide by attempting to replace established prohibitions with principles centered on individual autonomy and the variable value of life. However, these proposed revisions often suffer from conceptual ambiguity and a failure to address the structural requirements of a coherent ethical system. The tension between utilitarian goals and deontological presentations persists, frequently resulting in inconsistencies when addressing speciesism or the moral status of infants. Ultimately, the transition from traditional to modern ethical models requires more rigorous attention to the justification of moral virtues and the logical consistency of reformist principles. – AI-generated abstract.