whether this was “naive utilitarian went too far” (bad) or “sociopath using EA to reputation-launder” (bad).
I think this is a false dichotomy. You can be a psychopath (i.e. have highly elevated psychopathic traits) and nonetheless be a true believer in an ideology that is about bettering the world. For example, Stalin clearly had highly elevated psychopathic traits but (IIRC) he also risked his life to further communist goals. (To be clear, I’m not saying that Sam is nearly as bad as Stalin.)
I think this is a false dichotomy. You can be a psychopath (i.e. have highly elevated psychopathic traits) and nonetheless be a true believer in an ideology that is about bettering the world. For example, Stalin clearly had highly elevated psychopathic traits but (IIRC) he also risked his life to further communist goals. (To be clear, I’m not saying that Sam is nearly as bad as Stalin.)
Good point, I think I’ve heard this perspective before but forgot.