I think what makes effective altruism unique is that it is trying without preconceptions to work out how to do the most good. Beneficentric people may help neighbours, or civic groups, or charities, or religions, or pressure groups, or political parties, but these different approaches are not ranked by effectiveness.
There have always have been some saints, but it is a new idea to try to be an impartial moral maximiser, working through an information-hungry social movement.
Thank you for this article, full of nuance.
I think what makes effective altruism unique is that it is trying without preconceptions to work out how to do the most good. Beneficentric people may help neighbours, or civic groups, or charities, or religions, or pressure groups, or political parties, but these different approaches are not ranked by effectiveness.
There have always have been some saints, but it is a new idea to try to be an impartial moral maximiser, working through an information-hungry social movement.