The Buddhist and the Ethicist

Eastern spirituality and utilitarian philosophy meet in these unique dialogues between a Buddhist monastic and a moral philosopher

Lively debate 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.