So I guess the reason is that the example illustrates the importance of cause prioritisation more strongly. It’s the same with PlayPumps: MacAskill could have picked a much better charitable intervention and yet still argued for effectiveness, but this wouldn’t powerfully demonstrate just how important it is to get the intervention right.
I completely agree with your overall point about maximising the good we can do, and other parts of the book will emphasise how important it is to not just settle for ‘good enough’!
So I guess the reason is that the example illustrates the importance of cause prioritisation more strongly. It’s the same with PlayPumps: MacAskill could have picked a much better charitable intervention and yet still argued for effectiveness, but this wouldn’t powerfully demonstrate just how important it is to get the intervention right.
I completely agree with your overall point about maximising the good we can do, and other parts of the book will emphasise how important it is to not just settle for ‘good enough’!