The Good Fight William MacAskill on Effective Altruism
Nov 15, 2025
William MacAskill, a moral philosopher and cofounder of the effective altruism movement, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about maximizing good through charity. He critiques typical donor behaviors and advocates for evidence-backed giving. The conversation explores the risks posed by AI, ranking it as a top concern alongside pandemics and climate change. MacAskill also highlights the importance of preparing for advanced AI and the potential for a future where technology enhances human flourishing.
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Core Of Effective Altruism
- Effective altruism asks how individuals can do the most good with their time and money by comparing interventions like investments.
- William MacAskill stresses evidence-based choice rather than conflating the idea with utilitarianism.
Why Distance Rarely Neutralizes Moral Duty
- Geographic proximity rarely justifies sacrificing orders of magnitude more benefit elsewhere.
- MacAskill argues saving lives in poor countries can be hundreds to thousands of times more cost-effective.
Avoid Ineffective Aid
- Use research aggregators like GiveWell to avoid harmful or ineffective aid and focus on well-evidenced interventions.
- Prioritize interventions with randomized controlled trials and strong empirical backing.
