Is effective altruism inherently utilitarian?

Abstract

Effective Altruism is a social movement that encourages individuals to donate their personal wealth to highly effective charities that provide goods and services to those suffering from severe poverty. Some philosophers have criticized Effective Altruism for being inherently Utilitarian, sharing core commitments such as consequentialism, impartiality, and hedonism. However, defenders of Effective Altruism argue that it is not necessarily Utilitarian as it does not require sacrificing one’s interests for the good of others or engaging in morally impermissible activities. Nevertheless, the goal and strategy of Effective Altruism are closely linked to the hallmarks of Utilitarianism, making it inherently Utilitarian in character, and thus subject to criticisms based on critiques of Utilitarianism. – AI-generated abstract.