Effective altruism: An interview with Steven Pinker

Abstract

Steven Pinker, a Harvard professor of psychology, endorses effective altruism, a movement that promotes directing charitable giving and philanthropy towards causes that maximize human well-being. Pinker emphasizes focusing on global public health interventions, such as disease prevention and treatment, as they yield the most significant positive impact per dollar donated. He expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of addressing climate change or far-future risks like runaway artificial intelligence through individual philanthropy. Pinker acknowledges the importance of considering animal suffering but recognizes the challenges in determining the extent of consciousness in various species. He suggests that highly educated individuals can make a greater impact by pursuing lucrative careers and then donating a portion of their earnings to effective charities, rather than working directly in low-impact charitable roles. Pinker acknowledges criticisms of effective altruism, such as its perceived coldness and the biological limits of altruism, but believes that promoting rational, evidence-driven approaches to philanthropy can lead to significant improvements in human well-being. – AI-generated abstract.