Oxford philosophy professor Will MacAskill talks about effective altruism and moral uncertainty. Topics include decision theory for maximizing expected moral value, assigning credences to ethical claims, and the popularity of effective altruism. Plus, humorous anecdotes, dilemmas, and the complexity of narrating an audiobook.
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Quick takeaways
Effective altruism advocates maximize impact by efficiently using time and money for global welfare.
Addressing moral uncertainty involves evaluating probabilities of differing ethical theories to make compromise decisions.
Assigning credences to moral theories is influenced by meta-ethical views like ideal subjectivism and model realism.
Deep dives
Understanding Effective Altruism
Effective altruism is a movement focused on using time and money efficiently to make the world a better place, with key areas including global health, animal welfare, and reducing human extinction risks. Advocates seek to maximize impact, often by donating part of their income or choosing impactful career paths.
Moral Uncertainty in Decision Making
Addressing moral uncertainty involves a method where probabilities of differing moral theories are evaluated to make decisions. This approach considers how likely a certain action is under various ethical viewpoints, enabling a compromise decision that maximizes expected value or choice worthiness.
Evaluation of Moral Theory Credences
Assigning credences to moral theories can be challenging but depends on different meta-ethical views. Ideal subjectivism views judgment as what one's ideal self would want, while model realism involves weighing evidence and theoretical considerations for moral claims.
Challenges in Moral Decision-Making
Encouraging more reflective ethical decision-making can be a transformative process, aiming to shift societal norms towards increased moral awareness and reflective choices. Critiques of turning individuals into algorithms should be considered in the context of ethical reform and introspection.
The Importance of Rational Reflection in Moral Decision-Making
The podcast delves into the significance of rational reflection in making moral decisions. It discusses how historical moral errors have led to horrendous outcomes, emphasizing the need for critical thinking. The speaker highlights the need to move away from misguided cultural norms and embrace actions that genuinely lead to moral progress.
Balancing Utilitarian Ethics with Personal Values
The episode explores the challenges of applying utilitarian ethics, especially in personal decision-making. It raises the dilemma of choosing between saving a loved one and maximizing global impact. The discussion delves into how decision procedures can conflict with personal values and societal expectations, highlighting the complexities of ethical reasoning in real-life situations.
Oxford philosophy professor Will MacAskill joins us to talk about effective altruism, moral uncertainty, and why you shouldn’t eat your grandmother (even if consequentialism is true). How should we act when we’re not sure which moral theory is the right one? Can we formulate a guide for behavior, modeled on decision theory, that maximizes expected moral value? How do we assign credences to ethical (as opposed to empirical) claims? Why has effective altruism become so popular, so fast, yet at the same time seem off-putting to many people? Plus, Tamler faces a dilemma when narrating his audiobook, and Dave is the Louis CK of his own backyard.
0:00 - 25:41 Tamler's dilemma and Guilty Confessions.
25:41 -31:15 Break, contact info, updates, thanks to our listeners and supporters.