Peter Singer: “Giving Game” Allows Public to Decide Who Benefits from Book Sales

Philosopher Peter Singer is letting the public decide who will benefit from sales of his latest book, The Most Good You Can Do. By playing a “Giving Game” online, members of the public will determine how $10,000 will be split among some of the world’s best charities.

Singer, often described as the world’s most influential living philosopher, wants people to think more carefully about where they donate their money. The Most Good You Can Do is about Effective Altruism, an international movement in which people resolve to do the most good possible with their lives.

Crucial to the movement is the idea of donating to the charities which have the biggest impact per dollar, rather than the ones best able to tug on the heartstrings. The charities included in the Giving Game are all among the most effective in the world, selected by Singer’s own organization, The Life You Can Save.

“By donating their money to the right charities, people can do an incredible amount of good” says Singer. “Hopefully this Giving Game will get people thinking about the most rational way to choose where to send their donations.”

The Giving Game is available on the book’s website, www.mostgoodyoucando.com. Voters can choose between 16 charities covering areas such as global poverty, animal welfare and climate change, as well as some less well-known causes. The money will be divided up proportionally to votes cast.