As explained in a previous post, I'm working with a couple of other folks on a "utilitarian landing page". One of the sections will include a brief list of readings on the main practical implications of the theory, specifically on (1) world poverty; (2) animal welfare; and (3) existential risk. That section will also include a reading on (4) the theoretical aspects of utilitarianism. Ideally, these readings should provide those already antecedently committed a better understanding of the theoretical structure and practical implications of utilitarianism, for the purposes of making them more effective promoters of happiness (as opposed to merely satisfying their intellectual curiosity). So far, our candidate readings are:

(1) world poverty
* Singer, Famine, affluence, and morality
* Singer, The Singer solution to world poverty

(2) animal welfare
* Singer, Equality for animals?

(3) existential risk
* Bostrom, Astronomical waste

(4) theoretical aspects
* Smart, 'An outline of a system of utilitarian ethics'

The list, however, is very tentative, so we would be very grateful if you could comment on these choices and/or provide a list of alternatives.

Sounds like a fantastic project, Pablo. They would be my top four picks, no question. Those seem to be the two best reads for world poverty for sure. I know less about the other two readings. Smart could be ok for the theoretical aspects. Sounds like a superb project, anyway.

As regards non-human animal welfare what about something that includes (or mentions) wild animal suffering? Oscar Horta or Brian Tomasik (or David Pearce but I find the other two easier to read).

Even if you don't want to mention wild animals suffering it may be better to use an essay by one of these authors so that hopefully people will read more of their stuff. I'm sure Horta has written stuff on speciesism http://usc-es.academia.edu/OscarHorta

Thanks for the recommendations, Ruairi. (Got your Facebook message, too.) I have added them to our file.

I can't think of any specifically introductory pieces, but I'd pick Norcross over Smart as an ethical theorist, and a lot of his papers are on his website, so worth glancing through.

A handful of other possibilities in the Felicifia recommended reading thread, though you're prob familiar with them all.

I think it would help to have some sort of commonsense utilitarian FAQ. I've seen people read Singer and then just dismiss him out of hand with a "this is just impossible" or a "if everyone gave to charity, then the economy would collapse", and I think questions like that (and many more besides) deserve to be answered in one easy place. Maybe such a place already exists, but I haven't heard of it.