Replaceability, career choice, and making a difference

Abstract

Career decisions, such as the choice to work in a lucrative career and donate earnings to charity, are often difficult. The article argues that, when considering charity as a career, it is important to consider the difference such a career makes versus the difference one could make by working in a lucrative but morally neutral career. It posits four reasons for this: the financial discrepancy, fungibility, uncertainty, and the replaceability arguments. It then considers two objections to the idea of pursuing philanthropy through a morally controversial career: harm-based reasons and integrity-based reasons. Finally, it discusses three objections to the feasibility of successfully pursuing such a career and how to mitigate such risks. – AI-generated abstract.