Effective altruism is an ideology, not (just) a question

Abstract

This article claims that effective altruism (EA), instead of being a question, is an ideology. It defines ideology by examining whether EA possess specific characteristics, namely: 1) the elevation of certain questions above others, 2) the advocacy of specific theoretical frameworks, and 3) the privileging of particular viewpoints. It argues that EA does indeed hold these characteristics, highlighting its focus on emerging technologies and the adoption of philosophical and economic frameworks to address global challenges. By comparing EA’s argument for prioritizing AI safety with similar arguments for other neglected cause areas, the article demonstrates that the prioritization of certain causes is not based solely on evidence and tractability, but also on ideological preferences. It concludes that EA’s common beliefs, along with shared methodological and analytical frameworks, constitute an ideology that guides the movement’s efforts toward doing as much good as possible. – AI-generated abstract.