The case of the missing cause prioritisation research

Abstract

The author of this article argues that the effective altruism community has underinvested in cause prioritisation research. While significant resources have been dedicated to particular causes, such as global development, animal welfare, and preventing existential risks, the author contends that there has been insufficient research into comparative evaluations of diverse cause areas. The author identifies a need for research to consider the long-term effects of interventions, explore how different values and cultures influence cause prioritization, and develop strategies for leveraging different forms of power (e.g., political capital, media influence) to achieve positive impact. The article proposes specific research areas, such as examining the empirical evidence for long-term impact, comparing diverse causes (e.g., improving institutions, increasing economic growth), and refining methods for decision-making under uncertainty. – AI-generated abstract.