The Perils of Maximization

Toby Orr discusses the perils of trying to maximize the amount of good one can do. He explains that while initially increasing efforts to optimize can lead to significant gains, the returns eventually diminish as the best opportunities are used up. Additionally, when considering moral uncertainty and trade-offs between different moral theories, the trade-offs become steeper and can lead to sacrificing other important factors such as achievements or freedom. He uses the example of trying to become a good athlete, where relentlessly optimizing only for faster running times can lead to detrimental effects on relationships, career, and helping others.