Deference culture in EA

Abstract

Effective altruism (EA) is a movement that promotes the use of evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to improve the world. Some claim that EA culture exhibits a strong tendency to defer to experts and authorities, even in cases where individuals have the capacity to conduct their own research and form their own judgments. This article argues that such a culture may lead to homogenization and a lack of innovation, as well as the overlooking of unique opportunities. The author explores the nuance of when deference is appropriate and suggests factors, such as an individual’s level of expertise and the complexity of the topic, to consider when determining how much deference to give. – AI-generated abstract.