EconTalk Erik Hoel on Effective Altruism, Utilitarianism, and the Repugnant Conclusion
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Sep 26, 2022 
Neuroscientist Erik Hoel, whose work delves into consciousness and brain complexities, shares his critical views on effective altruism. He argues that its utilitarian foundations can lead to repugnant conclusions that undermine ethical claims. The conversation tackles the moral dilemmas of quantifying well-being, the implications of AI safety, and critiques the limitations of distant charity. Hoel also highlights the importance of local altruism and the dangers of reducing morality to mere numbers, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of ethical behavior.
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Effective Altruism: A Utilitarian Approach to Charity
- Effective altruism, a movement based on utilitarianism, aims to maximize good by making charitable giving more effective.
- This involves calculating the impact of donations to ensure the biggest "bang for the buck."
The Trolley Problem and its Implications
- The trolley problem, a thought experiment, illustrates a core tenet of utilitarianism: saving five lives is better than one.
- This principle, when applied to complex real-world scenarios, can lead to disturbing implications like a surgeon killing one healthy person to save five.
The Shallow Pond and the Repugnant Conclusion
- Peter Singer's "shallow pond" thought experiment argues that saving a drowning child and donating to famine relief are morally equivalent.
- Scaling this idea leads to the "repugnant conclusion": a world with many people living barely above subsistence might be considered morally preferable.
