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Effective altruism is the result of not teaching STEM majors enough classics and philosophy. These tech nerds have "invented" utilitarianism, a philosophy that

Effective altruism is the result of not teaching STEM majors enough classics and philosophy. These tech nerds have "invented" utilitarianism, a philosophy that goes back thousands of years and has known downsides when taken to the extreme (i.e. ignoring personal liberties and the means of doing things). The ends don't always justify the means.

chadbr 3y ago
socialism fueled by capitalism… the irony is so good. In the 60’s/70’s it would have been called a cult.
henryaj 3y ago
If they've invented utilitarianism, why do they use that exact term so often? Seems like EAs are actually pretty familiar with the history of utilitarian thought. Much EA discourse focuses on moral philosophy and meta-ethics. Will MacAskill, well-known EA, is a professor of moral philosophy. Deontology has its problems too.
- yboris 3y ago
  It's worth to look at the track record of utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham, often regarded as the founder of classical utilitarianism, almost 300 years ago, was arguing in favor of women's rights, decriminalization of homosexuality, abolition of slavery, animal welfare, prison reform. https://www.utilitarianism.net/utilitarian-thinker/jeremy-bentham/ https://www.utilitarianism.net/utilitarian-thinker/jeremy-be...
  - henryaj 3y ago
    Agreed - Bentham is a hero.
woooooo 3y ago
There's a long history of people saying this about Scott Alexander in particular. Whenever I speak to them, they've clearly never actually read the 10 page essay they're complaining about. Makes me wonder if they actually read any philosophy either.
yboris 3y ago
If anyone is interested in Utilitarianism, consider this open-access textbook: https://www.utilitarianism.net/ https://www.utilitarianism.net/
Joeboy 3y ago
I would make the exact opposite case. "Weird EA" (the people worrying about paperclip generators and shrimp welfare) is a consequence of EA's roots in, and continued association with, academic philosophy. The main, good part of EA is just about donating money in a way that does the most good possible. Which for most of us means organizations that stop people dying unnecessarily in poorer countries.

chadbr 3y ago

socialism fueled by capitalism… the irony is so good. In the 60’s/70’s it would have been called a cult.

henryaj 3y ago

If they've invented utilitarianism, why do they use that exact term so often? Seems like EAs are actually pretty familiar with the history of utilitarian thought. Much EA discourse focuses on moral philosophy and meta-ethics. Will MacAskill, well-known EA, is a professor of moral philosophy. Deontology has its problems too.

yboris 3y ago
It's worth to look at the track record of utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham, often regarded as the founder of classical utilitarianism, almost 300 years ago, was arguing in favor of women's rights, decriminalization of homosexuality, abolition of slavery, animal welfare, prison reform. https://www.utilitarianism.net/utilitarian-thinker/jeremy-bentham/ https://www.utilitarianism.net/utilitarian-thinker/jeremy-be...
- henryaj 3y ago
  Agreed - Bentham is a hero.

woooooo 3y ago

There's a long history of people saying this about Scott Alexander in particular. Whenever I speak to them, they've clearly never actually read the 10 page essay they're complaining about. Makes me wonder if they actually read any philosophy either.

yboris 3y ago

If anyone is interested in Utilitarianism, consider this open-access textbook: https://www.utilitarianism.net/ https://www.utilitarianism.net/

Joeboy 3y ago

I would make the exact opposite case. "Weird EA" (the people worrying about paperclip generators and shrimp welfare) is a consequence of EA's roots in, and continued association with, academic philosophy. The main, good part of EA is just about donating money in a way that does the most good possible. Which for most of us means organizations that stop people dying unnecessarily in poorer countries.