What is effective altruism
Effective altruism is about using data and good decision-making practices to figure out how to best benefit others. We then put these insights into practice.
Traditional altruism is based on empathy and a desire to help others. Effective altruism adds rigorous scientific methods and rational reasoning to focus on what really works and what brings the most benefit.
We believe that it is better to help two people than one, as long as the costs are the same. Some projects can help hundreds or even thousands of times more than others, even if they have the same amount of resources.
One of the first steps to significant impact is to select an important issue.
Criteria for prioritising problems
How do we evaluate which problems to work on? Where can we make the biggest impact? One method ranks problems according to the following criteria:
Importance
We assess the extent to which the problem negatively affects lives. This includes not only the number of lives directly or indirectly harmed by the problem, but also the severity of the consequences that the problem causes.
Solvability
How easy is it to make progress on a given problem? We consider not only the availability of the technology and resources needed to solve the problem, but also the complexity and uncertainty associated with implementing the solution.
Neglectedness
We find how much attention and resources are being focused on the problem. This includes not only the amount of scientific research and public debate devoted to the problem, but also the amount of money and number of people that is already being dedicated to it.
Differences in the impact of interventions
Some interventions can have many times more impact than others and their importance varies by several orders of magnitude. So if we focus on the right solution, we can have up to 100 times more impact. To make the best use of our limited resources, it is therefore essential to focus on the activities with the greatest impact.
For example, it has been shown that if the economic status of poor families increases, most other poverty-related problems will resolve themselves. Or deworming children in poor areas with high absenteeism has been found to help education more substantially than interventions aimed at the comfort of education itself (textbooks, teachers).
Interventions by impact
So what are the causes we currently consider most important?
Main areas of interest
Risks of artificial intelligence
Not only can the wrong direction jeopardise humanity's potential, the risks of various uses of AI are so unexplored that we can't even imagine most of the risk scenarios yet.
Catastrophic pandemics
Biotechnological developments may result in much more deadly pandemics due to accidental releases or deliberate use of engineered pathogens.
Research on global priorities
Rigorously examining how to prioritize global problems and how best to address them can make the efforts of people who want to do good more effective.
Nuclear war
Nuclear weapons were the first real man-made existential threat. Despite some progress, we have not sufficiently reduced the threat of nuclear war.
Institutional decision-making
Systemic changes are among the most effective. Good research and improved decision-making processes can change the lives of all citizens for the better.
Climate change
In addition to the suffering it is already causing, further climate deterioration may increase other existential risks and affect living standards far into the future.
Conflict of superpowers
Military conflict between world powers could be one of the greatest risk factors for further existential catastrophes.
The resilience of civilisation
If we increase the likelihood that the world's population will recover from a catastrophic collapse, we can save the possibility of a prosperous future even if disaster strikes.
Easily treatable diseases
Diseases like malaria, which are easily preventable, kill hundreds of thousands of people every year. More funding and more efficient organisations can improve global healthcare and reduce extreme poverty.
Animal welfare
Billions of animals suffer every year in factory farms where humane treatment standards are low or non-existent.
Effective Altruism as a Social Movement
An umbrella organization helping local communities of effective altruism, like the Czech one.
Effective Altruists are involved in a number of projects, including funding the distribution of 200 million malaria nets, research into the future of artificial intelligence, and campaigns to prevent future pandemics.
Examples of effective altruism include:
- Search for charities that are the best in the world at helping others.
- Helping people find jobs where they can have a significant social impact.
- Participating in research on the world's biggest problems and how to solve them.
Important organisations
There are many organizations that subscribe to the principles of effective altruism and that seek to apply its ideas in their efforts to make the world a better place.
Centre for Effective Altruism
Organizations representing local communities of effective altruism, like the Czech one.
80,000 Hours
Provides research and support for students and graduates to enter professions that effectively address the world's most pressing problems.
Charity Entrepreneurship
Starting high-impact nonprofits by connecting entrepreneurs with effective ideas, training and funding.
Give Well
A non-profit organization that seeks out exceptional donor opportunities and publishes detailed information from their analysis.
Giving What We Can
Community of effective donors. It provides support, community and information on how to do the most good with your donations.
Open Philanthropy
A research and grantmaking foundation that makes grants based on the values of effective altruism.
How to get involved
People who share the values of effective altruism can help in two ways: by investing their time and by investing their money. The community provides them with support and information about new opportunities and changes in the effectiveness of solutions.
With your time
You may be thinking about your career choice, academic topic or specialisation, or how to spend your free time.
With your money
Donate to the world's most effective charities and make the biggest positive impact with your money.
Where to find out more
Introductory seminar
Sign up for an 8-week seminar based on the proven program of effective altruists from Stanford University.
Začínáme vždy v březnu a v září.
List of resources
Too brief? Would you like to explore some topics in more depth? Take a look at our comprehensive list of resources.
The Precipice
The book presents the latest scientific knowledge on the risks we face and offers suggestions on how to mitigate these risks and protect humanity's potential for the future.
Doing Good Better
The author uses evidence and data-based arguments to explain how individuals and organizations can make the most effective decisions for doing good.