Effective Altruism
Uses evidence and explicit comparison to decide how limited resources can help others more effectively. Participants work on different causes and disagree about priorities, methods, and the role of uncertainty.
Reference boundary: Not identical with utilitarianism, longtermism, or any one organization. General outcome-oriented answers do not establish movement membership.
Foundational doctrines
- Evidence-guided action
- Comparing opportunities to help
- Attention to neglected problems
Disagreement and variation
Cost-effectiveness can miss political power, dignity, local knowledge, or benefits that are difficult to quantify. Comparing options is useful without establishing that every moral concern belongs on one numerical scale.
Numerical positions in the interactive model are editorial reference estimates, not scientifically validated measurements.