Very interesting … with respect to the distinction between being a good person and doing good, I tend to think we underestimate the value of doing good. The archetypal example is Bill Gates, who built a $100 million house but is still (in Peter Singer’s view, at least) the largest effective altruist of all time.
I do think the wealth have a greater moral imperative to give money, but I also think we tend to undervalue people’s practical impact in favor of their level of martyrdom. If I’m at risk of dying of malaria, I’d much rather have Gates come to my rescue than someone making $50,000 and giving half to charity. I certainly don’t think that makes Gates morally better in any way, but he has made life decisions that have increased his giving ability (not to mention being exceptionally fortunate to be born into an affluent, wealthy family at the dawn of the personal computer age, of course).
I generally think we (EAs, but everyone else, too) could use a dose of humility in acknowledging that no one really knows the best way to change the world. We’re all guessing, and there is value in other approaches as well (such as making zillions, buying a yacht, and giving some to charity; running for office or supporting a political campaign, spending your time bringing food to your elderly neighbor across the street, building a socially responsible company that hires thousands of people, etc.).
Very interesting … with respect to the distinction between being a good person and doing good, I tend to think we underestimate the value of doing good. The archetypal example is Bill Gates, who built a $100 million house but is still (in Peter Singer’s view, at least) the largest effective altruist of all time.
I do think the wealth have a greater moral imperative to give money, but I also think we tend to undervalue people’s practical impact in favor of their level of martyrdom. If I’m at risk of dying of malaria, I’d much rather have Gates come to my rescue than someone making $50,000 and giving half to charity. I certainly don’t think that makes Gates morally better in any way, but he has made life decisions that have increased his giving ability (not to mention being exceptionally fortunate to be born into an affluent, wealthy family at the dawn of the personal computer age, of course).
I generally think we (EAs, but everyone else, too) could use a dose of humility in acknowledging that no one really knows the best way to change the world. We’re all guessing, and there is value in other approaches as well (such as making zillions, buying a yacht, and giving some to charity; running for office or supporting a political campaign, spending your time bringing food to your elderly neighbor across the street, building a socially responsible company that hires thousands of people, etc.).
Definitely agree with the point about Gates.