As the world faces increasingly complex problems – from pandemics to global poverty and climate change – how do we decide where to concentrate our efforts and resources to do the most good possible? Effective altruism offers a way to do just that, focusing on evidence and rational arguments to identify crucial issues and the most impactful ways of solving them.
In this new book, philosopher Jacob Bauer cuts through the uncritical hype and wholesale dismissal around effective altruism to offer a balanced overview of this movement’s core concepts and approaches to “doing good better.” With examples spanning malaria-preventing bed nets to the dangers of AI, he illuminates how effective altruism is addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems, all the while acknowledging its real limitations and showcasing its immense promise.
Whether you are a skeptic or a new adherent seeking to understand the philosophy and community of effective altruism, this book is the definitive guide.
Table of Content
Boxes, Figures and Tables
Introduction
1: The Urgency of Effective Altruism: Pandemics and Prioritization
2: Global Poverty: You CAN Make a Difference
3: Weighing Uncertainties: Should You be Vegan?
4: Systemic Change and Moral Pitfalls: Combatting Climate Change
5: Can Your Career Save the World? Nuclear Weapons and Existential Risk
6: High Risks and Rewards: AI and Longtermism
7: Making a Difference Through Effective Altruism
Endnotes
About the author
Jacob Bauer is a lecturer in the philosophy department at the University of Dayton. He teaches, researches and writes in the areas of normative ethics, professional ethics, effective altruism, philosophy of religion, philosophy of nonviolence and philosophy of science fiction. His new book Effective Altruism: An Introduction, will be published in 2024.
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