“There have been many studies of religion over the years, from outsider and insider perspectives, evaluating all aspects of religions”
I agree because I have been reading these studies for years.
I have added a preface [link] that explains my background, but as I mentioned above I have yet to find ” a reliable, balanced, up-to-date source of the evidence for and against even a single major religious ideology (with one possible exception)” [more on that here] or a proper inquiry into alternatives to evidentialism [more on that here].
How about you?
“If you apply western ethics to religious philosophies… understand western philosophy and ethics to some degree.”
Well put.
“I think that you seek an an incompatible (apples-to-oranges) comparison of religions and EA.”
I don’t think so and I don’t see how comparing them is necesssary for figuring out how to do the most good. If truth is not dependant on its source, then I don’t care if the information vital for maximally effective altruism comes in the garb of EA or religion or any other label.
“Overall, I think your approach poses an unnecessary challenge to religion.”
I didn’t intend to challenge religion at all. Can u please explain why u think I am being “unfair to religion” (preferably while referring to specific quotes)?
“Sorry if that was rambling or repetitive. I don’t have time to edit this down.”
No worries (your unedited comments are a lot better than nothing :)
Well, I did my best to understand your essay, Dov.
I will say that some religious organizations do good works as part of their faith, and that those organizations offer value to their communities. There might be effective ways to support their community that a religious charity would adopt with help from the EA community, and vice-versa. The two communities could help each other.
Thank you very much for doing your best and sorry about not being clearer in my first draft. I really appreciate your comments, they have definitely helped me clarify this essay. I’m sorry I was harsh in my last comment (I deleted the harsh parts).
“I will say that some… The two communities could help each other.”
I agree. As I mentioned in my essay, there is considerable overlap in EA and religion.
Here’s a quote I like but didn’t get a chance to mention:
“But, curiously, religious commitment and effective altruism are united in telling us we should not serve mammon. They are united in claiming that the ordinary, 21st-century American and Western European way of living has gone drastically wrong, and that we need to create a different way of living from the ground up. They are united in thinking that people who are not part of our everyday social group should occupy a much larger part of our concern. They are united in thinking that our focus should be on others rather than on ourselves, not just part of the time, but as a way of life.”
I agree because I have been reading these studies for years.
I have added a preface [link] that explains my background, but as I mentioned above I have yet to find ” a reliable, balanced, up-to-date source of the evidence for and against even a single major religious ideology (with one possible exception)” [more on that here] or a proper inquiry into alternatives to evidentialism [more on that here].
How about you?
Well put.
I don’t think so and I don’t see how comparing them is necesssary for figuring out how to do the most good. If truth is not dependant on its source, then I don’t care if the information vital for maximally effective altruism comes in the garb of EA or religion or any other label.
I didn’t intend to challenge religion at all. Can u please explain why u think I am being “unfair to religion” (preferably while referring to specific quotes)?
No worries (your unedited comments are a lot better than nothing :)
Well, I did my best to understand your essay, Dov.
I will say that some religious organizations do good works as part of their faith, and that those organizations offer value to their communities. There might be effective ways to support their community that a religious charity would adopt with help from the EA community, and vice-versa. The two communities could help each other.
Thank you very much for doing your best and sorry about not being clearer in my first draft. I really appreciate your comments, they have definitely helped me clarify this essay. I’m sorry I was harsh in my last comment (I deleted the harsh parts).
I agree. As I mentioned in my essay, there is considerable overlap in EA and religion.
Here’s a quote I like but didn’t get a chance to mention:
“But, curiously, religious commitment and effective altruism are united in telling us we should not serve mammon. They are united in claiming that the ordinary, 21st-century American and Western European way of living has gone drastically wrong, and that we need to create a different way of living from the ground up. They are united in thinking that people who are not part of our everyday social group should occupy a much larger part of our concern. They are united in thinking that our focus should be on others rather than on ourselves, not just part of the time, but as a way of life.”
Source: “Effective Altruism and Religion Synergies, Tensions, Dialogue” edited by D. Roser et. al; published 2022; accessible at https://philarchive.org/archive/RIEEAA-3
I get the feeling you might like this book and thanks again for your feedback!