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92 reviews for:
The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically
Peter Singer
3.69 AVERAGE
92 reviews for:
The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically
Peter Singer
3.69 AVERAGE
As many problems as there are with the world, I truly think most people want to help others in some capacity or another. But since the rise of sites like GoFundMe, I've felt like I was going insane. When I hear of a viral story where people donated 100s of thousands of dollars to a single homeless person, I wonder if anyone realizes how many people that could help. Rather than making a homeless person go from broke to richer than 75% of America, why not focus our efforts and money in a smarter way? And that's where Peter Singer's book about Effective Altruism came in, and I realized there are others who think like this.
It's funny because last year I tried reading this book when I was in a really dark place, and I stopped reading after a chapter. Today, my life is a complete 180, and I'm regularly trying to see what I and others can do to make this world a little better. Thankfully, Peter Singer's effective altruism is a philosophy of how we can do better and doing good things.
2nd read:
I’m writing this review the day before Christmas and just keep thinking that if I could get everyone a present, it’d be this book. This was my second time reading this book, and it was even better than the first time. Peter Singer is the original effective altruist, and I absolutely love this book because it has such a great blend of philosophy and stories that help us really think about doing “the most good we can do”. Effective altruism is about not just helping others but using some rationality to ensure we’re not wasting our time or money when it could be better spent elsewhere. Although this book is filled with stories of people who are way more altruistic than I think I could ever be (such as people giving away kidneys based on the math and how they value the life of others), it’s such a great read. A lot of people in this book, including the author, set the bar extremely high, but even if you can meet some of the ideas in this book halfway, we’ll be able to do a lot more good in this world.
If you're like me and want to help and sometimes don't know the best way, this philosophy will help guide you in the right direction. And if it were up to me, everyone would have to read this book before donating to different charities. I love the name "effective altruism", but it could easily be called "rational altruism."
It's funny because last year I tried reading this book when I was in a really dark place, and I stopped reading after a chapter. Today, my life is a complete 180, and I'm regularly trying to see what I and others can do to make this world a little better. Thankfully, Peter Singer's effective altruism is a philosophy of how we can do better and doing good things.
2nd read:
I’m writing this review the day before Christmas and just keep thinking that if I could get everyone a present, it’d be this book. This was my second time reading this book, and it was even better than the first time. Peter Singer is the original effective altruist, and I absolutely love this book because it has such a great blend of philosophy and stories that help us really think about doing “the most good we can do”. Effective altruism is about not just helping others but using some rationality to ensure we’re not wasting our time or money when it could be better spent elsewhere. Although this book is filled with stories of people who are way more altruistic than I think I could ever be (such as people giving away kidneys based on the math and how they value the life of others), it’s such a great read. A lot of people in this book, including the author, set the bar extremely high, but even if you can meet some of the ideas in this book halfway, we’ll be able to do a lot more good in this world.
If you're like me and want to help and sometimes don't know the best way, this philosophy will help guide you in the right direction. And if it were up to me, everyone would have to read this book before donating to different charities. I love the name "effective altruism", but it could easily be called "rational altruism."
Interesting, semi well written but a bit self congratulatory for my liking
Goodreads
New vocabulary:
In toto (Latin) - as a whole, overall
‘She acknowledges feeling her good fortune “is not fundamentally a product of my own doing.” ‘ (33)
‘I’m working towards building the kind of world I would want to live in.” ‘ (34)
‘ “My default setting is me first, and it’s a constant struggle not to let this override every decision.” ‘ (36)
‘ “Altruism needs to be watched, challenged and nurtured, otherwise it risks becoming stale and automatic.” ‘ (36)
‘ “Being a bystander to suffering is not an option.” ‘ (40)
‘We sometimes learn that a charity is not as effective as we though it was. Donors can then easily switch their giving to a better charity.’ (42)
‘Advocates a balance between a comfortable life and doing good.’ (46)
Potential idea for future: ‘she runs educational programs in schools to make students more aware of the needs of developing countries.’ (60)
“We know have a sense of what effective altruist do. In brief, they are sufficiently concerned about the welfare of others to make meaningful changes in their lives. Effective altruists donate to charities that, instead of making an emotional appeal to prospective donors, can demonstrate that they will use donations to save lives and reduce suffering in a way that is highly cost effective. In order to do more good, effective altruists limit their spending or take a different career path so that they will have more to give or will be more useful in some way. They may also donate blood, stem cells, bone marrow, or a kidney to a stranger.” (75)
Question to ask new acquaintances:
- “Do you ever recline your seat on airplanes? Why/Why not?”
‘ “When I learnt I could spend my exorbitant monthly gym membership (I don’t even want to tell you how much it cost) on curing blindness instead, the only though I had was: why haven’t I been doing this all along? That question changed my life forever.” ‘ (88)
‘Loving your own child does not mean you have to be so dazzled by your love that you are unable to see form a point of view from which other children matter just as much as your own or that this perspective is unable to have an impact on the way you live.’ (88)
‘In that case we will do better if we … put aside our instinctive reactions and think things through.’ (91)
‘A potential donor should be asking: “Where can I do the most good?” ’ (117)
‘Where can I have the biggest impact?’ (118)
Investigate. For example, several plausible strategies to motivate girls to stay in school in developing countries have been suggested. But providing information to parents about increased wages of those who stay at school has been shown to be most effective. (154)
‘Oxfam puts resources into both direct aid and advocacy work. It believes advocacy work is better grounded because of the direct aid it does, and at the same time regards it as vital to combat, as far as possible, the causes of poverty.’ (157)
‘Advocacy for policy change has obvious appeal to those who are concerned that more traditional forms of aid are merely putting a band aid on the symptoms of poverty rather than dealing with its deeper roots.’ (157)
‘Policy advocacy is an attractive option because it responds to critics who that aid treats just the symptoms of global poverty, leaving the causes untouched.’ (161)
Goodreads
New vocabulary:
In toto (Latin) - as a whole, overall
‘She acknowledges feeling her good fortune “is not fundamentally a product of my own doing.” ‘ (33)
‘I’m working towards building the kind of world I would want to live in.” ‘ (34)
‘ “My default setting is me first, and it’s a constant struggle not to let this override every decision.” ‘ (36)
‘ “Altruism needs to be watched, challenged and nurtured, otherwise it risks becoming stale and automatic.” ‘ (36)
‘ “Being a bystander to suffering is not an option.” ‘ (40)
‘We sometimes learn that a charity is not as effective as we though it was. Donors can then easily switch their giving to a better charity.’ (42)
‘Advocates a balance between a comfortable life and doing good.’ (46)
Potential idea for future: ‘she runs educational programs in schools to make students more aware of the needs of developing countries.’ (60)
“We know have a sense of what effective altruist do. In brief, they are sufficiently concerned about the welfare of others to make meaningful changes in their lives. Effective altruists donate to charities that, instead of making an emotional appeal to prospective donors, can demonstrate that they will use donations to save lives and reduce suffering in a way that is highly cost effective. In order to do more good, effective altruists limit their spending or take a different career path so that they will have more to give or will be more useful in some way. They may also donate blood, stem cells, bone marrow, or a kidney to a stranger.” (75)
Question to ask new acquaintances:
- “Do you ever recline your seat on airplanes? Why/Why not?”
‘ “When I learnt I could spend my exorbitant monthly gym membership (I don’t even want to tell you how much it cost) on curing blindness instead, the only though I had was: why haven’t I been doing this all along? That question changed my life forever.” ‘ (88)
‘Loving your own child does not mean you have to be so dazzled by your love that you are unable to see form a point of view from which other children matter just as much as your own or that this perspective is unable to have an impact on the way you live.’ (88)
‘In that case we will do better if we … put aside our instinctive reactions and think things through.’ (91)
‘A potential donor should be asking: “Where can I do the most good?” ’ (117)
‘Where can I have the biggest impact?’ (118)
Investigate. For example, several plausible strategies to motivate girls to stay in school in developing countries have been suggested. But providing information to parents about increased wages of those who stay at school has been shown to be most effective. (154)
‘Oxfam puts resources into both direct aid and advocacy work. It believes advocacy work is better grounded because of the direct aid it does, and at the same time regards it as vital to combat, as far as possible, the causes of poverty.’ (157)
‘Advocacy for policy change has obvious appeal to those who are concerned that more traditional forms of aid are merely putting a band aid on the symptoms of poverty rather than dealing with its deeper roots.’ (157)
‘Policy advocacy is an attractive option because it responds to critics who that aid treats just the symptoms of global poverty, leaving the causes untouched.’ (161)
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
For me it was life changing. Really put my whole life in a new perspective, and gave a name and lifestyle to the person I am and want to become. I am excited to say the world will be a marginally better place because I read this book.
This book is just a start, but it really shifted the way I thought about my lives contributions and its unapologetic impact and approach to doing good.
This book is just a start, but it really shifted the way I thought about my lives contributions and its unapologetic impact and approach to doing good.
Effective altruism has been co-opted to justify some tech-bro bullshit by tech bros
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
ngl a tough read for me because although short, is definitely not the type of book I would normally read (sorry I’m not a lover of non-fiction). was recommended this book by a co-worker because I’m vegan lol (and the author is too)
all in all, I didn’t think it was a bad read; I thought the ideas put forth about effective altruism and doing “the most good you can do” were thought-provoking and interesting. I definitely think some of the suggestions in the book of how to be an effective altruist are impractical for the vast majority of people, but I think Singer makes good points about how to best choose charities/causes to donate to, as that’s something I would definitely want to do more in the future. I’d like to think I have an altruistic spirit but I’m definitely not on par with what Singer expects of altruists haha
also coming at it from a faith-based point of view is another added layer. of course as a Christian, I would want to do the best I can do in my life, but does that mean using my money to do that (since I would say most of this book was about giving money)? what about my time and effort, and actually going to the people in need and ministering to them? money is important for sure but it can’t be all we can do to help in this life
all in all, I didn’t think it was a bad read; I thought the ideas put forth about effective altruism and doing “the most good you can do” were thought-provoking and interesting. I definitely think some of the suggestions in the book of how to be an effective altruist are impractical for the vast majority of people, but I think Singer makes good points about how to best choose charities/causes to donate to, as that’s something I would definitely want to do more in the future. I’d like to think I have an altruistic spirit but I’m definitely not on par with what Singer expects of altruists haha
also coming at it from a faith-based point of view is another added layer. of course as a Christian, I would want to do the best I can do in my life, but does that mean using my money to do that (since I would say most of this book was about giving money)? what about my time and effort, and actually going to the people in need and ministering to them? money is important for sure but it can’t be all we can do to help in this life
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This is a light introduction into the effective altruism movement.
Things I didn't like: Singer starts by saying that anyone can be an effective altruist, that he will give examples of all kinds of ordinary people who belong to the movement. He then goes on to detail examples of people who made rather extreme life choices in their dedication to altruism. He does circle back at the end of the book and reiterate that most effective altruists are not extreme and only give about 10% of their income, but the contrast was a bit much.
Things I liked: There's some philosophical discussion but it also stays rooted in the real world. I could identify with the woman who started wondering if her ice cream was worth more than another person's wellbeing, and how thinking like that can become unproductive. I also liked the conversation about guilt and self-sacrifice not being a necessary part of altruism.
Overall, I think it's worth evaluating why we donate to different causes and measuring our motivations rationally instead of just emotionally. I try to be more thoughtful in my giving now, even though I cannot say I am anywhere close to the guy in the book who actually followed Jesus' command to sell all his possessions (for a time). Throughout the book I was reminded of the quote by C.S. Lewis "I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare." Singer would agree and add that we should do so thoughtfully, to make as much of a difference as we can.
Things I didn't like: Singer starts by saying that anyone can be an effective altruist, that he will give examples of all kinds of ordinary people who belong to the movement. He then goes on to detail examples of people who made rather extreme life choices in their dedication to altruism. He does circle back at the end of the book and reiterate that most effective altruists are not extreme and only give about 10% of their income, but the contrast was a bit much.
Things I liked: There's some philosophical discussion but it also stays rooted in the real world. I could identify with the woman who started wondering if her ice cream was worth more than another person's wellbeing, and how thinking like that can become unproductive. I also liked the conversation about guilt and self-sacrifice not being a necessary part of altruism.
Overall, I think it's worth evaluating why we donate to different causes and measuring our motivations rationally instead of just emotionally. I try to be more thoughtful in my giving now, even though I cannot say I am anywhere close to the guy in the book who actually followed Jesus' command to sell all his possessions (for a time). Throughout the book I was reminded of the quote by C.S. Lewis "I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare." Singer would agree and add that we should do so thoughtfully, to make as much of a difference as we can.
Reading this was an attempt to discover possible life views and actions for a normal person to live a more moral/ethical life, and counter the downsides of today's capitalistic world (which is here to stay it seems). Ideas like Human centered capitalism intrigue me, and they should.
Dichotomy between egoism and altruism
Living Modestly
Social ties to family and to friends are a basic source of happiness. We don't need to indulge in great luxuries to be happy.
Earning to Give
If you have the ability to earn high or hold an influential position with potential to bring good change, then do so. Don't work full time for charities, anyone can do that. This provides fulfillment from a good work life as well as the feeling of doing something for the greater good. Maintain a good balance between what giving and sacrificing, as a healthy and happy giver, gives more and better over a period of time.
Whom to give (Important)
Rather than being guided by emotions, the author suggests to take the way of reason and calculated judgement. "The most good you can do", although not always what one might choose, but certainly is ignored mostly in cases that need not be. One must evaluate better options, and not just give for the sake of it. Focusing on urgent/important issues if they are clearly discernible and the ones where one can make a big influential difference over a long period that very few people are working towards. An objective answer to this is difficult, but definitely can be better concluded by reason driven research and impact assessment. Donating to poor people of poor countries does more good than donating to poor people of rich countries, whose living standards even if highly undesirable, are still much better than the ones in poor countries. For the same cost, more poor people benefit in poor countries rather than the ones in rich countries.
Becoming a fully dedicated effective altruist seems a bit extreme for now. But as it is an emerging movement, I hope it will be within me too. Its inspiring and reassuring to read about people who have the courage to live on much less than what they could, so they can somehow help make the world better, a place we'd all want to live in. The book presents the ideas in a highly readable non-preachy tone, important to be able to accept the message.
" No doubt capitalism does drive some people into extreme poverty—it is such a vast system that it would be surprising if it did not—but it has also lifted hundreds of millions out of extreme poverty. It would not be easy to demonstrate that capitalism has driven more people into extreme poverty than it has lifted out of it; indeed there are good grounds for thinking that the opposite is the case."
Dichotomy between egoism and altruism
"What is really of import is the concern people have for the interests of others. If we want to encourage people to do the most good, we should not focus on whether what they are doing involves a sacrifice, in the sense that it makes them less happy. We should instead focus on whether what makes them happy involves increasing the well- being of others. If we wish, we can redefine the terms egoism and altruism in this way, so that they refer to whether people’s interests include a strong concern for others—it if does, then let’s call them altruists, whether or not acting on this concern for others involves a gain or loss for the altruist.”
Living Modestly
Social ties to family and to friends are a basic source of happiness. We don't need to indulge in great luxuries to be happy.
Earning to Give
If you have the ability to earn high or hold an influential position with potential to bring good change, then do so. Don't work full time for charities, anyone can do that. This provides fulfillment from a good work life as well as the feeling of doing something for the greater good. Maintain a good balance between what giving and sacrificing, as a healthy and happy giver, gives more and better over a period of time.
Whom to give (Important)
Rather than being guided by emotions, the author suggests to take the way of reason and calculated judgement. "The most good you can do", although not always what one might choose, but certainly is ignored mostly in cases that need not be. One must evaluate better options, and not just give for the sake of it. Focusing on urgent/important issues if they are clearly discernible and the ones where one can make a big influential difference over a long period that very few people are working towards. An objective answer to this is difficult, but definitely can be better concluded by reason driven research and impact assessment. Donating to poor people of poor countries does more good than donating to poor people of rich countries, whose living standards even if highly undesirable, are still much better than the ones in poor countries. For the same cost, more poor people benefit in poor countries rather than the ones in rich countries.
" for people at low levels of income, an increase in income does lead to greater happiness, but once income is sufficient to provide for one’s needs and a degree of financial security, further increases have either much less impact on happiness or no impact at all. Other things, especially warm personal relationships, contribute much more."
Becoming a fully dedicated effective altruist seems a bit extreme for now. But as it is an emerging movement, I hope it will be within me too. Its inspiring and reassuring to read about people who have the courage to live on much less than what they could, so they can somehow help make the world better, a place we'd all want to live in. The book presents the ideas in a highly readable non-preachy tone, important to be able to accept the message.
