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Effectiveness is a conjunction of multipliers (5 mins.) - one take on why it matters so much to think carefully and critically about which of the above perspectives is right.

Types of criticism

Systemic change

Is effective altruism a question or an ideology, or both?

General criticisms of effective altruism

Deference and forming inside views

Criticism of EA methods

Criticism of EA principles

  • Pascal’s Mugging Critique of the application of expected value theory. How do you deal with  very low probability events that would be disastrous if they took place? (5 mins.)
  • Ethical Systems - Check out other ethical systems not discussed yet in the program. Which ones resonate most with you? (Varies)
  • AI alignment, philosophical pluralism, and the relevance of non-Western philosophy - Short talk (18 mins.)
  • The Repugnant Conclusion - Total utilitarianism (maximizing overall wellbeing) implies that it’s better to have many many beings with infinitesimally positive wellbeing to a smaller number of beings that are all extremely well off. Some people find this counterintuitive, but there’s significant debate on this. (Video - 6 mins.)
  • Utility monster - Another thought experiment suggesting that trying to maximize wellbeing may have counterintuitive implications (5 mins.)
  • The bullet-swallowers - Scott Aaronson describes how some theories (like EA) force you to either swallow some tough conclusions or dodge them by contorting the theory. (2 mins.)

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