I think self neglect is a common theme in EA, comparing individual stakes to whatever big problem of choice can make it easy to try to do too much and pursue impact in an unsustainable way.
Agree that taking care of oneself is probably instrumentally good in the long run.
I remember someone arguing that they tried to balance their altruistic motivation with their other values (a healthy view in my opinion), and someone pushed back along the lines of “you should only care about yourself instrumentally, you should value all sentient beings equally”.
(I wanted to quote it but I can’t find it)
And this idea of impartiality, “valuing all sentient beings equally”, is part of the cultural canon of EA, early in the introductory program, and the reason why I don’t feel comfortable identifying as part of the movement.
I’m curious about what is the consensus (if any) on how far should the idea of impartiality taken. Do the people in charge really mean it when they posit impartiality as a core EA value?
Does most people here adhere to it, or is it just something that is directionally agreed on to different degrees, but it is still expected that we (as individuals) matter more to ourselves than other beings?
I think self neglect is a common theme in EA, comparing individual stakes to whatever big problem of choice can make it easy to try to do too much and pursue impact in an unsustainable way.
Agree that taking care of oneself is probably instrumentally good in the long run.
I remember someone arguing that they tried to balance their altruistic motivation with their other values (a healthy view in my opinion), and someone pushed back along the lines of “you should only care about yourself instrumentally, you should value all sentient beings equally”.
(I wanted to quote it but I can’t find it)
And this idea of impartiality, “valuing all sentient beings equally”, is part of the cultural canon of EA, early in the introductory program, and the reason why I don’t feel comfortable identifying as part of the movement.
I’m curious about what is the consensus (if any) on how far should the idea of impartiality taken. Do the people in charge really mean it when they posit impartiality as a core EA value?
Does most people here adhere to it, or is it just something that is directionally agreed on to different degrees, but it is still expected that we (as individuals) matter more to ourselves than other beings?