This isn’t from the OHSM, but two resources to learn more about this topic are the Wikipedia article on ‘satisficing’, a commonly suggested strategy for adapting utilitarianism in response to the demandingness criticism, and this section of the ‘consequentialism’ article on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy focused on the demandingness criticism.
It’s not my prior view at all. I think the most good will be done by people partaking in activities that are not particularly demanding at all (e.g., AGI Alignment research, plant-based meat research, well-being research, etc) rather than giving a substantial portion of income or making other demanding sacrifices. In order for the EA community to incentivize or show approval of such activity, people willing to do that research should be welcomed into the EA community whether or not they take a giving pledge or partake in any other more demanding activities.
But...those are just my private half-baked thoughts to date. I’d be interested in a conversation on this topic.
What level of demandingness is appropriate for a social movement? I’m wondering how demanding EA should be.
This isn’t from the OHSM, but two resources to learn more about this topic are the Wikipedia article on ‘satisficing’, a commonly suggested strategy for adapting utilitarianism in response to the demandingness criticism, and this section of the ‘consequentialism’ article on the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy focused on the demandingness criticism.
Hi Michael, I was searching for demandingness discussion on the forum here and found your comment.
Are you are aware of any discussion on this before or since your comment?
One recent article is: https://faculty.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Effectiveness-and-Demandingness.pdf which claims “EAs must endorse the view that well off people have at least fairly demanding unconditional obligations” to donate money to effective charities.
It’s not my prior view at all. I think the most good will be done by people partaking in activities that are not particularly demanding at all (e.g., AGI Alignment research, plant-based meat research, well-being research, etc) rather than giving a substantial portion of income or making other demanding sacrifices. In order for the EA community to incentivize or show approval of such activity, people willing to do that research should be welcomed into the EA community whether or not they take a giving pledge or partake in any other more demanding activities.
But...those are just my private half-baked thoughts to date. I’d be interested in a conversation on this topic.