Effective Altruism and Systemic Change

Abstract

One of the main objections against effective altruism (EA) is the so-called institutional critique, according to which the EA movement neglects interventions that affect large-scale institutions. Alexander Dietz has recently put forward an interesting version of this critique, based on a theoretical problem affecting act-utilitarianism, which he deems as potentially conclusive against effective altruism. In this article I argue that his critique is not as promising as it seems. I then go on to propose another version of the institutional critique. In contrast to Dietz's version, it targets not the core principles of effective altruism but rather some important methodological assumptions made in EA research, namely diminishing marginal returns and low-hanging fruits. One key conclusion is that it may be time for critics of effective altruism to shift their attention from the theoretical core principles of effective altruism towards the methodological tools actually employed in practice by the EA movement.

Why Not Effective Altruism?

“…12 For excellent discussion of this "institutional critique", see Berkey (2018). Broi (2019) offers a narrower interpretation of the critique, according to which Effective Altruists are contingently biased against the possibility that some causes may have increasing (rather than diminishing) marginal returns. I don't see any reason to think that this is a bias rather than simply a first-order empirical disagreement about particular cases.…”

Institutional change and the limitations of consumer activism

“…An important distinction to draw is that between institutional change and the 'systemic change' approach often discussed within the field of effective altruism (Snow, 2015;Gabriel, 2017). Systemic change typically refers to either fixing an issue at a deeper level further down the causal chain, such as addressing the causes of poverty rather than directly alleviating the suffering of people in poverty, or it refers to fundamental transformations of society, such as the end of capitalism, that would affect a wide range of social issues (Berkey, 2018;Broi, 2019;Dietz, 2019;Kissel, 2017). The institutional distinction might be a more fundamental or systemic change than individual change, but the relationship between the two axes is unclear because both individuals and institutions can effect changes and be changed at superficial or fundamental levels.…”

Effective altruism and the dark side of entrepreneurship

“…Effective Altruism (EA) has become one of the most influential belief systems of the twenty first century ( Ackermann, 2022 ). Seeking to revolutionize charitable contributions and the debate around improving the world, EA has faced both praise and criticism in academic literature ( Berkey, 2018 ; Broi, 2019 ; Dietz, 2019 ). EA is particularly influential in tech entrepreneurship with some of the most influential tech entrepreneurs in the world, including the founders of companies like Facebook, Instagram, Skype, PayPal, and Tesla among others, expressing some degree of devotion to the movement ( Bennett et al, 2016 ; Ackermann, 2022 ).…”