An embarrassment of riches

Abstract

The article brings attention to the culture of voluntary simplicity as practiced within certain cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, through the lens of effective altruism. It critiques the concept of personal purity through simplicity, arguing that it might often serve to prioritize individual ethical standing over genuine assistance to others. To illustrate, it uses historical figures like Jane Addams and Leo Tolstoy, contrasting their differing approach to using privilege for social impact. The piece urges the reader to refrain from adopting a superficial show of solidarity, focusing instead on making a tangible difference by using all tools available, including wealth. It challenges the dismissive attitudes towards material possessions and the negative connotations attributed to wealth while advocating effective utilization of resources for altruistic causes. Narratives of simplicity are problematized as possibly stunting to genuine altruistic efforts, while the concept of ’earning to give’ is highlighted as a pragmatic alternative approach. – AI-generated abstract.