I agree that we get heaps of feedback from talks and media so i imagine you personally encounter as much criticism of EA as any other single person, and since it’s often brief spots with a big audience, that a lot of it feels like it’s not well thought through.
doesn’t appreciate the importance of systemic change—too focused on the measurable rather than unquantifiable benefits—smuggles utilitarian assumptions under the table.
Mightn’t there be value in these criticisms?
The systemic change criticism seems valid for EA five years ago. Now, GiveWell have started seriously analysing advocacy, GoodVentures have started funding it and FHI/CEA have started engaging policymakers so we’ve decided that these activities are crucial. Next time we could listen sooner right?
Regarding smuggling in utilitarianism—well, there are related objections about to moralising, demandingness and self-sacrifice, which we’ve started to address in the last year or two, and which seem important. When we write in research articles or books, it seems like we are starting to get more careful about stating ethical assumptioms, which seems good.
So, as non-smart or poorly-considered as this criricism may be, we’ve reasons to expect gold there, and any discussion should help the movement’s self-awareness, psychological health and resiliency to further criticism.
I agree that we get heaps of feedback from talks and media so i imagine you personally encounter as much criticism of EA as any other single person, and since it’s often brief spots with a big audience, that a lot of it feels like it’s not well thought through.
Mightn’t there be value in these criticisms?
The systemic change criticism seems valid for EA five years ago. Now, GiveWell have started seriously analysing advocacy, GoodVentures have started funding it and FHI/CEA have started engaging policymakers so we’ve decided that these activities are crucial. Next time we could listen sooner right?
Regarding smuggling in utilitarianism—well, there are related objections about to moralising, demandingness and self-sacrifice, which we’ve started to address in the last year or two, and which seem important. When we write in research articles or books, it seems like we are starting to get more careful about stating ethical assumptioms, which seems good.
So, as non-smart or poorly-considered as this criricism may be, we’ve reasons to expect gold there, and any discussion should help the movement’s self-awareness, psychological health and resiliency to further criticism.