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Peter Singer on the Ethics of Philanthropy - WSJ

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Peter Singer's Critique of Geffen's Donation

Peter Singer, a prominent ethicist, challenges the philanthropic value of David Geffen's $100 million donation to renovate Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Singer argues that this sum could be far more impactful if directed towards alleviating poverty and addressing critical needs in developing nations.

The Core Argument

Singer emphasizes the significant difference in impact between donating to a concert hall serving a wealthy population and donating to causes addressing immediate needs such as restoring sight to the blind, which he notes could be achieved with a much smaller contribution.

Geffen's Response

David Geffen declined to comment on Singer's criticism.

Peter Singer would sooner donate a kidney than sponsor a concert hall. So when entertainment mogul David Geffen gave $100 million in early March for the renovation of Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York—it will soon be renamed David Geffen Hall—Mr. Singer questioned why people thought he was doing so much good.Over Skype from his home in Melbourne, Australia, Mr. Singer says that he doesn’t understand “how anyone could think that giving to the renovation of a concert hall that could impact the lives of generally well-off people living in Manhattan and well-off tourists that come to New York could be the best thing that you could do with $100 million.” He notes, for example, that a donation of less than $100 could restore sight to someone who is blind. Mr. Geffen declined to comment.

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Category: Philanthropy

Tags: Ethics Charity Donation Singer Geffen

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