How do you feel it is to relieve suffering in the world? What are you willing to do to contribute to the goal? As you read, pay close attention to the definition and practice of Effective Altruism (EA). Do you support this philosophy? What do you do that is consistent with this practice?

How to relieve suffering in the world is a tough question to answer, but a starting point would be to help those less fortunate then yourself. I think the idea of relieving suffering is a difficult concept, because part of being human is suffering with daily responsibilities, worries, and needs. The suffering that should be focused on is the physiological suffering, people that need food, water, and shelter to survive, compared to people in the developed world who are suffering with stresses of their jobs. I have contributed to the goal of relieving this suffering before. I have volunteered many times in the past at soup kitchens, donated to those in need, and recently helped build a house for a deserving family. I have always held the value of volunteering and giving back important to me, but I think the concept of Effective Altruism is a bit extreme. I don’t think that giving back should be a competition to see who can do the most, and I don’t think others should be shunned for spending their time doing something they enjoy. Helping someone should be an intrinsic motivation, something that you want to do because you know that person will be better off, you shouldn’t want to help someone if the reason is to beat someone else in how helpful you are. EA is also very harsh with their outlook on people who choose not to volunteer. Some people may not have the time, resources, or be able bodied to volunteer and that is okay. If people choose to spend their time with the arts, that is okay too. I think this article especially struck a nerve with me because I really enjoy drawing, painting, and making art as well. I don’t believe that creation is selfish, if anything it lets one dive deeper into the depths of who they are as they’re own person. I create art because it is fun and I feel accomplished, and I don’t this that me making art takes anything away from the time I spend volunteering.

 

According to Effective Altruists, when is it okay to make art?

According to the EA, it is okay to make art when it is beneficial to the EA cause. Either if you are already a successful artist and can give money to the cause, or you can use your artistic talent to attract more people to the EA cause.

 

Central to Effective Altruism is the notion of replaceability. Note Southan’s definition of this term. In what ways does it function withing the Effective Altruism movement?

Replaceability is a concept within EA that keeps the members motivated to give back. The idea that someone else can replace you because they are doing more good than you are will push people to give back even more. They say that the only goo that counts is the good that you can do over someone else.