I think you are conflating EA with utilitarianism/consequentialism. To be fair this is totally understandable since many EAs are consequentialists and consequentialist EAs may not be careful to make or even see such a distinction, but as someone who is closest to being a virtue ethicist (although my actual metaethics are waymorecomplicated) I see EA as being mainly about intentionally focusing on effectiveness rather than just doing what feels good in our altruistic endeavors.
I don’t think I’m conflating EA with utilitarianism. In fact, I made a comment a few days ago specifically pointing out how they might differ under the post “Cognitive and emotional barriers to EA’s growth”. If you still think I’m conflating things, please point out what in specific so I can address it. Thanks.
That EA and utilitarianism are different is precisely the point being made here: you have given an argument against utilitarianism, but EA is not utilitarianism, so the argument wouldn’t demonstrate that EA is flawed.
Only my response to Objection 1 is more or less directed to the utilitarian. My response to Objection 2 is meant to defend against other justifications for saving the greater number, such as leximin or cancelling strategies. In any case, I think most EAs (even the non-utilitarians) will appeal to utilitarian reasoning to justify saving the greater number, so addressing utilitarian reasoning is important.
I think you are conflating EA with utilitarianism/consequentialism. To be fair this is totally understandable since many EAs are consequentialists and consequentialist EAs may not be careful to make or even see such a distinction, but as someone who is closest to being a virtue ethicist (although my actual metaethics are way more complicated) I see EA as being mainly about intentionally focusing on effectiveness rather than just doing what feels good in our altruistic endeavors.
Hey gworley3,
Here’s the comment I made about the difference between effective-altruism and utilitarianism (if you’re interested): http://effective-altruism.com/ea/1ll/cognitive_and_emotional_barriers_to_eas_growth/dij
Hi gworley3,
Thanks for your comment.
I don’t think I’m conflating EA with utilitarianism. In fact, I made a comment a few days ago specifically pointing out how they might differ under the post “Cognitive and emotional barriers to EA’s growth”. If you still think I’m conflating things, please point out what in specific so I can address it. Thanks.
That EA and utilitarianism are different is precisely the point being made here: you have given an argument against utilitarianism, but EA is not utilitarianism, so the argument wouldn’t demonstrate that EA is flawed.
Only my response to Objection 1 is more or less directed to the utilitarian. My response to Objection 2 is meant to defend against other justifications for saving the greater number, such as leximin or cancelling strategies. In any case, I think most EAs (even the non-utilitarians) will appeal to utilitarian reasoning to justify saving the greater number, so addressing utilitarian reasoning is important.
It’s not about responses to objections, it’s about the thesis itself.