The TED Interview cover image

How empathy gets in the way of a better world with Paul Bloom

The TED Interview

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Exploring Rational Compassion and Effective Altruism

The concept of rational compassion underpins effective altruism, emphasizing the importance of using reason to make compassionate actions more impactful in areas like charity and aid. Despite challenges and scandals faced by effective altruism, the core idea of using reason and rationality to determine how to help others has shown remarkable success in improving lives. While excessive rationality could lead to moral shortcomings, the balance lies in incorporating emotions and diverse perspectives from different individuals. This integrated approach ensures that rationality is guided by empathy and prevents potentially harmful moral decisions. Collaborative discussions and diverse viewpoints serve as crucial safeguards against extreme or misguided moral actions, promoting a more balanced and effective altruistic approach.

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