Open to Debate Does the Effective Altruism Movement Get Giving Right?
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Nov 28, 2025 
In a riveting discussion, Peter Singer, a leading philosopher known for his work on effective altruism, goes head-to-head with Alice Crary, a critic advocating for broader measures of goodness. They dissect the complexities of effective altruism, from its evidence-based approach to charities to its potential pitfalls like neglecting social justice. Topics include the impact of randomized trials, the ethics of ‘earning to give,’ and the balance between measurable outcomes and systemic change. The debate offers a thought-provoking look at what it means to give effectively.
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Evidence + Altruism As Core Principle
- Effective altruism combines altruistic goals with evidence-driven methods to maximize impact.
- Peter Singer urges donors to research charities like you would research big purchases to avoid wasting resources.
Research Donations Like Big Purchases
- Do follow available evidence and randomized trials when choosing charities to ensure donations save lives.
- Do treat charity selection like a researched purchase to maximize the value of every dollar.
Limits Of Narrow Evidence
- Alice Crary argues EA's reliance on narrow metrics can miss complex harms and systemic causes.
- She warns that RCTs and welfare metrics don't capture political or structural change needed to address injustice.
