This has been the first Rector's Lecture in the term 2025-2028 (our university has been organising it since 2010). However, Rector of the University of Lodz, Prof. dr hab. Rafał Matera, welcoming the guest, emphasised, that considering the significance of the ideas, research issues and the entire achievements of Prof. Peter Singer, it was worth waiting a little longer for this meeting. Especially if it is taking place in the year of our university's 80th anniversary.
The most important questions of contemporary ethics
Prof. Singer devoted his reflections as part of the 32nd Rector’s Lecture to practical (applied) ethics, which asks questions about what we should do in specific situations and contexts of the real world.
For the purposes of the lecture, he divided them into parts related to questions about the most important areas of interest in contemporary applied ethics:
- What can and should affluent societies do about extreme poverty among people in low-income countries?
- Is human exploitation of animals acceptable and justified?
- What should we do about rapidly changing climate?
- What is the significance and intrinsic value of protecting endangered species and the natural environment?
- Does a human foetus have a right to life? The issue of euthanasia, which prompts us to ask ourselves: If a terminally ill patient asks for medical assistance in dying, shouldn't the doctor provide it?
The last-mentioned issues of bioethics in Prof. Singer's science may raise controversy among pro-lifers and people with conservative views. During the Rector's Lecture, a group of young people expressed their dissatisfaction with the data presented by the scientist. However, they did not accept the invitation of the Rector of the University of Lodz to talk to the scientist in the questions and answers section and Prof. Singer stoically continued his lecture. It was only concluded by the section in which the audience could ask questions (and there were plenty of them) and discuss with the scientist.
The University of Lodz is a university open to debate on socially and ethically important topics, so inviting Prof. Singer, who raises difficult issues of euthanasia, abortion and animal rights in his works and investigations, fits perfectly into its mission, which is to conduct reliable scientific research and actively proclaim the truth that results from it. All this in order to wisely educate future generations, be useful to society and boldly respond to the challenges of the modern world.
We encourage you to watch and listen to the lecture by Prof. Peter Singer
Who is Peter Singer?
Peter Singer was a Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University for 25 years. He gained international recognition for his 1975 book Animal Liberation, which initiated the modern animal rights movement. He is also a leading thinker in the field of effective altruism. He received the $1 million Berggruen Prize for his philosophical work in 2021. He donated it to charity.
Rector’s Lecture at the University of Lodz for 15 years now
The Rector's Lectures, which have been organised by the University of Lodz since 2010, are delivered at our university by great individuals of scientific, social, economic and political life, whose achievements are usually interdisciplinary and go far beyond the walls of the university. Thanks to this, the lectures become attractive to a wide audience, which guarantees interesting discussions and exchange of views. The Rector's Lectures have already become a kind of institution. We have had the honour to host the Nobel Prize winner, presidents of states, ambassadors, the President of the Polish Academy of Sciences, luminaries of science and great moral authorities.
Source: Press Office, University of Lodz
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski (Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz)
Video: Maciej Fornal (Centre for Brand Communications, University of Lodz)