Why Ten Percent?

Abstract

While effective altruists (EAs) spend a lot of time researching which ways to do good are the most effective, historically many have assumed, with relatively little argument, that the benchmark for membership in the movement is a com- mitment to donate 10% of your earnings. This points to an asymmetry between the two halves of effective altruism: EAs tend to have relatively restricted stand- ards for effectiveness (where to give), but they have much looser standards for altruism (how much to give). I investigate explanations for this asymmetry. While some possible justifications may work (pending empirical support), others look flimsier. I conclude that this means EA likely is, or anyway ought to be, more demanding than some of its proponents currently claim.

Publisher

Georgetown University Law Center

Publication Date

9-1-2023

Publication Title

The Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy

Department

Philosophy

Document Type

Article

Notes

Symposium: The Ethics of Effective Altruism and Social Entrepreneurship

Language

English

Format

text

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