Ben Todd: Well yeah, just quickly on the definition, my definition didn’t have “Using evidence and reason” actually as part of the fundamental definition. I’m just saying we should seek the best ways of helping others through whatever means are best to find those things. And obviously, I’m pretty keen on using evidence and reason, but I wouldn’t foreground it.
Arden Koehler: If it turns out that we should consult a crystal ball in order to find out if that’s the best way, then we should do that?
Ben Todd: Yeah.
Arden Koehler: Okay. Yeah. So again, very abstract: whatever it is that turns out to be the best way of figuring out how to do the most good.
Ben Todd: Yeah. I mean, in general, you have this just big question of how narrow or broad to make the definition of effective altruism and it is a difficult thing to say.
I don’t think this is an “official definition” (for example, endorsed by CEA) but I think (or atleast hope!) that CEA is working out a more complete definition for EA.
Thanks for linking to the podcast! I hadn’t listened to this one before and ended up listening to the whole thing and learnt quite a bit.
I just wonder if Ben actually had some other means in mind other than evidence and reasoning though. Do we happen to know what he might be referencing here? I recognize it could just be him being humble and feeling that future generations could come up with something better (like awesome crystal balls :-p). But just in case if something else is actually already there other than evidence and reason I find it really important to know.
I think this excerpt from the Ben Todd on the core of effective altruism (80k podcast) sort of answers your question:
I don’t think this is an “official definition” (for example, endorsed by CEA) but I think (or atleast hope!) that CEA is working out a more complete definition for EA.
Thanks for linking to the podcast! I hadn’t listened to this one before and ended up listening to the whole thing and learnt quite a bit.
I just wonder if Ben actually had some other means in mind other than evidence and reasoning though. Do we happen to know what he might be referencing here? I recognize it could just be him being humble and feeling that future generations could come up with something better (like awesome crystal balls :-p). But just in case if something else is actually already there other than evidence and reason I find it really important to know.
Yeah, I agree. I don’t have anything in mind as such. I think only Ben can answer this :P