Effective Altruism and the Altruistic Repugnant Conclusion

Pellegrino, Gianfranco

doi:10.7710/1526-0569.1579

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

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“…From a consequentialist point of view, the overall impact of a prosocial act can be understood as a function of the size of the benefit provided and the number of beneficiaries (Pellegrino, 2017). The size criterion to evaluate impact posits that one should invest towards causes that bring a larger benefit.…”

Section: Efficiency Of Helpmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fewer but poorer: Benevolent partiality in prosocial preferences

Paolacci

Yalcin

2020

Judgm. decis. mak.

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A prosocial action typically provides a more sizable benefit when directed at those who have less as opposed to those who have more. However, not all prosocial acts have a direct bearing on socioeconomic disadvantage, nor does disadvantage necessarily imply a greater need for the prosocial outcome. Of interest here, welfare impact may depend on the number of beneficiaries but not on their socioeconomic status. Across four preregistered studies of life-saving decisions, we demonstrate that when allocating resources, many people are benevolently partial. That is, they choose to help the disadvantaged even when this transparently implies sacrificing lives. We suggest that people construct prosocial aid as an opportunity to correct morally aversive inequalities, thus making relatively more disadvantaged recipients a more justifiable target of help. Benevolent partiality is reduced when people reflect beforehand on what aspects they will prioritize in their donation decision.

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Section: Efficiency Of Helpmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fewer but poorer: Benevolent partiality in prosocial preferences

Paolacci

Yalcin

2020

Judgm. decis. mak.

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Beyond Moral Efficiency: Effective Altruism and Theorizing about Effectiveness

Zuolo

2019

Utilitas

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In this article I provide a conceptual analysis of an underexplored issue in the debate about effective altruism: its theory of effectiveness. First, I distinguish effectiveness from efficiency and claim that effective altruism understands effectiveness through the lens of efficiency. Then, I discuss the limitations of this approach in particular with respect to the charge that it is incapable of supporting structural change. Finally, I propose an expansion of the notion of effectiveness of effective altruism by referring to the debate in political philosophy about realism and the practical challenge of normative theories. I argue that effective altruism, both as a social movement and as a conceptual paradigm, would benefit from clarifying its ideal, taking into account the role of institutions, and expanding its idea of feasibility.

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Effective Altruism and the Altruistic Repugnant Conclusion

Abstract: Effective altruism is committed to Altruistic

Cited by 2 publications

References 9 publications

Fewer but poorer: Benevolent partiality in prosocial preferences

Fewer but poorer: Benevolent partiality in prosocial preferences

Beyond Moral Efficiency: Effective Altruism and Theorizing about Effectiveness

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