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Effective Altruism: An Introduction – 80,000 Hours
Eight: Prof Hilary Greaves on moral cluelessness, population ethics, & harnessing the brainpower of academia to tackle the most important research questions
Apr 12, 2021
02:48:33
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Quick takeaways
- Long-termism emphasizes future welfare without discounting it, altering traditional economic practices.
- Population ethics challenge prioritizing preventing premature human extinction over never-born lives.
- Debates in population ethics range from total to average utilitarianism, posing ethical dilemmas.
- Moral uncertainties in effective altruism necessitate grappling with decision paralysis and cluelessness.
- Risk aversion plays a crucial role in balancing extinction risks and economic development in altruistic decisions.
Deep dives
Introduction to the Global Priorities Research
The podcast episode introduces the Global Priorities Research, focusing on the paradigm of long-termism where the majority of the value of actions lies in the far future. This concept highlights the importance of considering future welfare without discounting it in moral assessments, diverging from traditional economic discounting practices.
Controversies in Future Welfare Discounting
A significant controversy centers around the ethical consideration of discounting future welfare in economic terms, offering differing viewpoints on how future welfare should be weighted compared to present welfare. Moral philosophers argue against discounting future welfare entirely, advocating for the equal moral consideration of welfare across time.
Implications of Population Ethics on Future Scenarios
Population ethics pose a crucial challenge in evaluating the importance of preventing premature human extinction. Debates over whether lives that are never born are morally on par with lives that end prematurely significantly impact the assessment of future scenarios, affecting decisions on the prioritization of preventing premature human extinction.
The Complexity of Philosophical Views on Population Ethics
Exploring the complex philosophical landscape of population ethics reveals varied perspectives on the value of life and the implications of decision-making. Philosophical discussions delve into the fundamental question of determining the comparative worth of different possible states of affairs based on the impact on future generations. Divergent views exist, from total utilitarianism advocating maximizing total welfare to average utilitarianism prioritizing average welfare per individual. The debate uncovers scenarios where these ethical theories lead to counterintuitive conclusions and the ongoing search for a comprehensive ethical framework in population ethics.
The Challenge of Formulating Permissible Preferences in Moral Decision-Making
Navigating the concept of permissible preferences in moral decision-making presents a significant challenge, especially when considering the implications of impartiality and rational permissibility. Philosophers examine the constraints on acceptable preference orderings for morally decent individuals who may not be completely impartially motivated. The debate highlights the plausibility of using a non-zero discount rate for future welfare under certain conditions, emphasizing the intricate balance between moral ideals and practical decision frameworks.
Navigating Moral Uncertainty in Effective Altruism and Long-Term Impact
Addressing moral uncertainty within the framework of effective altruism and long-term impact necessitates grappling with decision paralysis and the implications of cluelessness. Conceptualizing the uncertainties surrounding the long-term effects of altruistic actions poses challenges in determining appropriate credences for unforeseeable outcomes. The discussion contemplates the relevance of impact evaluations, the role of systematic reasons in decision-making, and the importance of acknowledging the vast influence of unmeasured effects on charitable giving strategies.
Challenges in Cross-Cause Comparisons
The podcast delves into the challenges of making cross-cause comparisons in effective altruism. It highlights the speaker's diminishing confidence in comparing charities based on metrics like givewells, realizing the complexities involved in trading off between different causes. The discussion points out the need for additional factors beyond simple trade-offs, such as unforeseen effects and average credences, to make accurate comparisons for effective altruistic decisions.
Navigating Risk Aversion in Decision-Making
The podcast explores the concept of risk aversion in decision-making processes related to effective altruism. It discusses how risk aversion influences choices between mitigating extinction risks and endeavors like economic development. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding risk aversion concerning the impact on outcomes to make informed decisions, shedding light on the complexities of balancing short-term and long-term impacts in altruistic actions.
Research Opportunities at Global Priorities Institute
Global Priorities Institute (GPI) is seeking researchers to achieve a balance between philosophy and economics. With a focus on expanding research in economics, GPI aims to attract individuals already researching aligned topics or willing to shift focus. Academic roles in philosophy and economics are open for recruitment, intending to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and tackle pressing global challenges.
Operational Roles and Scholarships at GPI
GPI offers operational positions vital for supporting academia. From managing complex tasks to communicating research concepts, operational roles thrive on a diverse skill set and academic understanding. Additionally, GPI provides scholarships and prizes to enhance funding for research endeavors, aiming to attract top talent interested in impactful, globally-relevant projects.
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I've Never Found These Arguments From Demanding Thus Terribly Persuasive Philosophical
2min
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Are There Any Other Approaches for Graduate School in Philosophy or Economics?
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How Important Is It That People Are Integratively Motivated to Answer These Questions?
5min
The barista gives you your coffee and change, and you walk away from the busy line. But you suddenly realise she gave you $1 less than she should have. Do you brush your way past the people now waiting, or just accept this as a dollar you’re never getting back?
According to philosophy Professor Hilary Greaves - Director of Oxford University's Global Priorities Institute, this simple decision will completely change the long-term future by altering the identities of almost all future generations.
This conversation from 2018 blends philosophy with an exploration of the mission and research agenda of the Global Priorities Institute: to develop the effective altruism movement within academia.
Full transcript, related links, and summary of this interviewThis episode first broadcast on the regular 80,000 Hours Podcast feed on October 23, 2018. Some related episodes include:
• #16 – Dr Hutchinson on global priorities research & shaping the ideas of intellectuals
• #42 – Amanda Askell on moral empathy, the value of information & the ethics of infinity
• #67 – Dave Chalmers on the nature and ethics of consciousness
• #68 – Will MacAskill on the paralysis argument, whether we're at the hinge of history, & his new priorities
• #72 – Toby Ord on the precipice and humanity's potential futures
• #86 – Hilary Greaves on Pascal's mugging, strong longtermism, and whether existing can be good for us
Series produced by Keiran Harris.
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