Why ‘most dangerous man in the world’ thinks cancel culture is a problem

One of the world’s most “dangerous” figures has set out to help overcome cancel culture – but critics say his solution will only make things worse.

If anyone knows about cancel culture being a problem, it’s Peter Singer.

The renowned philosopher, who holds several controversial views, has spent his career advocating for freedom of thought and speech.

Labelled “the most dangerous man in the world”, Professor Singer has come under fire for his views many times throughout his career, advocating for parents’ right to selective euthanasia of their disabled newborn babies, voluntary euthanasia and abortion.

He pushes for the equal rights of animals, with one of his books, Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals, universally regarded as the philosophical foundation of the animal rights movement, moving millions to adopt vegetarianism and veganism.

More recently he’s advocated for style of philanthropy called “effective altruism” in which money is spent on the most fixable problems, not necessarily the most inhuman or dreadful.

His arguments are founded on a simple idea - utilitarianism; a theory that states the most ethical choice, in any situation, is the one that provides the greatest good for the greatest number.

But Professor Singer, who is based in Melbourne but works for Princeton University in the US, knows not everyone can so bravely share their thoughts, despite how well-argued or backed up they might be.

RELATED: Why we need to cancel woke culture

Philosopher Peter Singer has been labelled the “most dangerous man in the world”.

He highlights a paper written by Bouke De Vries of Sweden’s Umeå University. In it Dr De Vries argues blackface make-up can be justified in the context of cultural traditions.

Dr De Vries said his paper was set to be published in a well-known journal but after he submitted revisions around the same time the Black Lives Matter protests started, his paper was then rejected by the editor.

He said he was told that he “might want to reconsider trying to publish the paper” because of the “very real risk of causing unnecessary offence”.

Now the paper has been published by Professor Singer and a group of colleagues in the first issue of their Journal of Controversial Ideas.

They started the journal to give younger academics a chance to publish their views – under a pseudonym if they’re controversial enough to cause trouble.

“I think it’s already definitely helping in terms of people publishing ideas that wouldn’t have otherwise been published,” Professor Singer said.

“(This author) was defending the use of blackface in certain cultural traditions. In a lot of cases people dressed in blackface are condemned, and that was a political problem for Justin Trudeau.

“The author of this article says he couldn’t get it published in another journal, when the whole questions of race came up after the murder of George Floyd.”

Thanks for your support, @RichardDawkins ! https://t.co/NLnaoNLdWd

— Peter Singer (@PeterSinger) April 15, 2021

But critics of the new journal suggest hiding identities will only polarise society further and academics must take ownership and stand by their views.

Professor Singer says this isn’t always possible for junior academics.

Despite facing much backlash over his ideas, he has always stood steadfastly by what he believes is right.

What he sees happening in society more and more, he doesn’t think is right and he hopes the Journal of Controversial Ideas will help change that.

“The fact we’ve done this shows we’re convinced of the importance of free discussion and to that extent, we reject the idea of people being cancelled, prevented from speaking, harassed or intimidated by others who don’t like the idea being put forward,” he said.

“I think [cancel culture is] a problem and I do think some aspects have gone much too far. In making sure everything is politically correct we lose the importance of free and robust discussion.”

Professor Singer said it wasn’t just people on the left; freedom of speech was also being impacted from the right.

“I think we have to protect freedom of speech from all sides of politics,” he said.

“I don’t like the idea of just putting labels on people, that therefore you’re left or right, you must hold these ideas. We should all be able to pick out the ideas that are sound and sensible.

“What we’re doing helps but it’s not a complete answer because people want to give talks, for example [and can’t if they remain anonymous].

“It will need a larger shift in opinion, for people who support freedom of thought and discussion to come out in favour of it and say we’re not going to be intimidated by those trying to shut down discussion.”

Professor Singer said the journal had already received strong support from the public, reflected in donations, as the publication is free so will rely on support to continue.

Think Inc., the outfit behind the tours of Dr Jane Goodall, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Dawkins, are currently promoting An Evening with Peter Singer in August.

Professor Singer will tour Australia and New Zealand to discuss his work.

Do you think academics should be able to remain anonymous if they’re publishing controversial views? Share your thoughts below