Response to 'The logic of effective altruism'

Abstract

Peter Singer’s effective altruism (EA) is critically examined, drawing parallels to Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy and the historical accumulation of wealth through exploitative practices. Global poverty is framed as originating from colonial actions and ongoing neoliberal policies, a socio-historical context largely omitted from Singer’s framework. Stripped of political and historical dimensions, EA provides a limited response to global challenges. The “earning to give” model, exemplified by working in the financial sector, is critiqued for potentially exacerbating global suffering and fostering individual alienation. Singer’s preference utilitarianism, while seeking rational choice, treats individuals as abstract units, aligning with the quantifiable logic of corporate and financial systems. This perspective fosters a “win-win” ethical zone that overlooks the conflict-ridden nature of wealth distribution. Donors are encouraged to engage in economically problematic activities to maximize donations, creating a circular reasoning that risks deepening the very inequalities EA seeks to alleviate. Thus, Singer’s effective altruism functions not as an antidote to global market fundamentalism, but as a complementary system reflecting its depoliticized and abstract approach. – AI-generated abstract.