Scope insensitivity: Failing to appreciate the numbers of those who need our help

Abstract

In the context of large-scale suffering, humans often fail to accurately assess the value of each individual life and struggle to make decisions that prioritize the well-being of large numbers of individuals. This is due to a cognitive bias called scope insensitivity, which affects judgments about the significance of an issue relative to its magnitude or scale. The phenomenon is particularly relevant to the plight of wild animals, whose suffering often goes unnoticed and undervalued. The article delves into the concept of scope insensitivity, its psychological underpinnings, and its implications for our ability to make ethical decisions. It additionally offers strategies to mitigate the influence of this bias and promote a more comprehensive consideration of individual life value, regardless of the scale or visibility of suffering – AI-generated abstract.