Should altruists focus on reducing short-term or far-future suffering?

Abstract

This article aims to address the debate surrounding the prioritization of altruistic efforts: should we focus on alleviating suffering in the short term or pursue long-term interventions that may yield more substantial but uncertain benefits in the distant future? The author acknowledges the compelling arguments for prioritizing the far future but raises several counterarguments and heuristics that question the dominance of long-term efforts. These include the reliance on expected-value calculations in the face of uncertainty, the potential for fanaticism when pursuing speculative possibilities, and the significance of flow-through effects that short-term actions can have on long-term outcomes. The author also emphasizes the need for epistemic humility and highlights the importance of gut checks and spiritual sentiments in guiding altruistic decisions. Ultimately, the article argues for a compromise between short-term and long-term interventions, acknowledging the urgency of addressing immediate suffering while also exploring transformative solutions that may shape a more humane and compassionate future. – AI-generated abstract.