As more and more philanthropists are looking to increase the social and environmental impact of their donations, effective altruism (EA) has emerged as a go-to strategy for many. Rooted in the philosophy of doing as much good as possible with the limited resources available, EA offers a pragmatic approach to philanthropy and ethical living. In this article, we'll delve into the essence of effective altruism, its fundamental principles, its key proponents, and the criticisms it faces.
Effective Altruism : What Is It?
Effective altruism can be defined as a philosophy that seeks to maximize the positive impact of altruistic actions. It emphasizes evidence, reason, and critical thinking to identify the most effective ways to alleviate suffering and improve the well-being of others, regardless of geographical boundaries, populations or species. At its core, effective altruism is about making rational, informed decisions to ensure that every charitable dollar and hour spent leads to the greatest possible benefit.
The basic tenets of effective altruism revolve around the following elements:
Effectiveness: prioritize interventions with the highest expected positive impact based on evidence and empirical data. This might involve rigorous research and analysis to identify the most cost-effective solutions to pressing global issues.
Impartiality: adopt an impartial perspective that values all lives equally, regardless of nationality, race, or species. Effective altruists believe in the universality of moral concern and advocate for a global perspective in addressing social and environmental challenges.
Skepticism: maintain a healthy skepticism toward traditional approaches to charity and altruism. Effective altruism encourages individuals to question conventional wisdom and explore unconventional strategies for maximizing impact.
Cause Neutrality: remain open-minded about the most pressing issues to address. Effective Altruists give priority to causes based on their potential for impact rather than personal preferences or emotional appeals.
Long-Term Thinking: consider the long-term consequences of altruistic actions and prioritize interventions that address underlying systemic issues rather than merely treating symptoms.
Who does effective altruism appeal to, and who are the major proponents?
The effective altruism movement originated in the early 21st century as a response to the perceived inefficiencies and shortcomings of traditional charitable giving and altruistic action. Philosophers and ethicists like Peter Singer played a pivotal role in shaping its foundational principles. Singer's influential works, such as "The Life You Can Save" and "Famine, Affluence, and Morality," laid the groundwork for a more systematic and evidence-based approach to altruism.
Since its inception, effective altruism has evolved into a global movement, though it has been closely associated with Silicon Valley and the tech world, with a large number of proponents coming from elite business schools in the US and Britain. Here are a few organizations that have been instrumental in promoting the principles of EA:
GiveWell: Founded in 2007, GiveWell is a nonprofit dedicated to identifying the most effective charities in the world. Through rigorous research and evaluation, GiveWell recommends a select group of organizations demonstrating exceptional impact in areas such as global health and poverty alleviation.
Effective Altruism Foundation: Based in Switzerland, the Effective Altruism Foundation conducts research and outreach to promote EA principles globally. It supports initiatives related to cause prioritization, existential risks, and effective giving.
80,000 Hours: This organization provides career advice and resources for individuals seeking to make a positive impact through their professional pursuits. 80,000 Hours emphasizes the importance of aligning one's career with high-impact opportunities in areas such as global health, artificial intelligence safety, and climate change mitigation.
Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA): supports and coordinates the effective altruism movement globally. Through research, community building, and outreach efforts, CEA aims to help individuals and organizations maximize their positive impact on the world.
Open Philanthropy: conducts research to identify high-impact philanthropic opportunities in various cause areas, including global health and development, scientific research, and farm animal welfare. It was originally incubated as a partnership between GiveWell and Good Ventures (founded by Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook and Asana).
The case against effective altruism
Despite its growing popularity, effective altruism is not without its critics or scandals as the FTX Futures Fund has shown us. This article in the French newspaper Le Monde takes a deep dive into the history of EA, and the FTX scandal and is an interesting read if you have the time. But if you're short on time, here are some of the main arguments against Effective altruism:
Utilitarianism Critique: effective altruism is often criticized for its heavy reliance on utilitarian principles, which prioritize maximizing “aggregate well-being” without sufficient regard for individual rights or justice.
Narrow Focus: Critics argue that effective altruism's emphasis on quantifiable metrics and evidence-based interventions may overlook important moral considerations, such as the intrinsic value of human relationships and cultural diversity.
Neglect of Local Issues: By putting priority on global challenges that offer the highest expected impact, effective altruism runs the risk of neglecting pressing issues in local communities. Critics argue that a more balanced approach is needed to address both global and local concerns effectively.
Risk Aversion: Some critics contend that effective altruism's emphasis on mitigating existential risks, such as those posed by emerging technologies or pandemics, may lead to excessive risk aversion and stifle innovation.
What does this mean for me?
There are many strategic approaches to philanthropy in addition to effective altruism, including open philanthropy, trust-based philanthropy, and systemic change. Proponents will each argue that their approach is the best. Before deciding which strategic approach is best for you, it’s important to understand your own “philanthropic compass” – that is to say, what is your main driver.
It also bears mention that there are no hard and fast rules – you can implement several different types of philanthropy within your foundation (a short-term and long-term donation approach, for example, system change and quick response to emergency crises) via multiple programs. Why not take the “best of each” approach and apply it to your grantmaking?
How can you go about it? Developing your own approach takes some deep thinking and involves a longer conversation. If you would like to delve deeper into your philanthropic goals (current or future if you're just starting out), don't hesitate to reach out.
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