Especially for a dominant funder like OP, I think there is great value in legibly communicating its honest beliefs. Based on what it has been funding in GH&D, at least historically, it places great value on saving lives as ~an end unto itself, not as a means of improving long-term human capacity. My understanding is that its usual evaluation metrics in GH&D have reflected that (and historic heavy dependence on GiveWell is clearly based on that). Coming up with some sort of alternative rationale that isn’t the actual rationale doesn’t feel honest, transparent, or . . . well, open.
In the end, Open Phil recommends grants out of Dustin and Cari’s large bucket of money. If their donors want to spend X% on saving human lives, it isn’t OP’s obligation to backsolve a philosophical rationale for that preference.
I’m suggesting that they should change their honest beliefs. They’re at liberty to burn their money too, if they want. But the rest of us are free to try to convince them that they could do better. This is my attempt.
Especially for a dominant funder like OP, I think there is great value in legibly communicating its honest beliefs. Based on what it has been funding in GH&D, at least historically, it places great value on saving lives as ~an end unto itself, not as a means of improving long-term human capacity. My understanding is that its usual evaluation metrics in GH&D have reflected that (and historic heavy dependence on GiveWell is clearly based on that). Coming up with some sort of alternative rationale that isn’t the actual rationale doesn’t feel honest, transparent, or . . . well, open.
In the end, Open Phil recommends grants out of Dustin and Cari’s large bucket of money. If their donors want to spend X% on saving human lives, it isn’t OP’s obligation to backsolve a philosophical rationale for that preference.
I’m suggesting that they should change their honest beliefs. They’re at liberty to burn their money too, if they want. But the rest of us are free to try to convince them that they could do better. This is my attempt.