About this course: Effective altruism is built on the simple but unsettling idea that living a fully ethical life involves doing the most good one can. In this course you will examine this idea's philosophical underpinnings; meet remarkable people who have restructured their lives in accordance with it; and think about how effective altruism can be put into practice in your own life.
Created by: Princeton University
Taught by: Peter Singer, Ira W. Decamp Professor of Bioethics
University Center for Human Values
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 10-15 hours of videos and assignments |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Romanian, Spanish |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction
1 video, 5 readings
- Reading: Course Overview
- Reading: Overview of Videos
- Reading: Effective Altruism Resources
- Reading: Discussion Forum Guidelines
- Reading: Keep in Touch
WEEK 2
Getting Started
In this week, we will give those of you who do not have a background in philosophy, or who need a refresher, an opportunity to study two areas of ethics: meta-ethics and normative ethical theories.
12 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Meta-Ethics
- Video: Subjectivism
- Video: Cultural Relativism
- Video: Objectivism
- Video: Religion and Ethics
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Normative Ethical Theories
- Video: Introduction to Consequentialism
- Video: Utilitarianism
- Video: Objections to Utilitarianism and Possible Utilitarian Responses
- Video: Deontology
- Video: Exceptionless Moral Rules
- Video: Natural Law Ethics
- Video: Absolute Rights or Prima Facie Duties
WEEK 3
Poverty and Affluence, Part 1
What obligations do the affluent have towards those who live in extreme poverty? In this week, we look at one distinct argument based on consequentialist ethics, and also begin the discussion of the effectiveness of aid programs. This week also includes a conversation with Raymond Offenheiser.
7 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Topic Introduction: The Pond Story
- Video: The Affluent, the Poor and the Rule of Easy Rescue
- Video: Objections to the Pond Analogy
- Video: The Effectiveness of Aid
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Discussion with Raymond Offenheiser
- Video: What is Poverty?
- Video: Helping People Solve Their Own Problems
- Video: Evaluating Oxfam's Work
WEEK 4
Poverty and Affluence, Part 2
In this week we discuss poverty as human rights violations. You will also find a conversation with Dean Karlan about effective solutions to poverty problems in this week.
5 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Poverty as Human Rights Violations
- Video: Institutional Human Rights Violations
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Discussion with Dean Karlan
- Video: Why 'Does Aid Work?' is the Wrong Question to Ask
- Video: What Works?
- Video: Heart Plus Mind
WEEK 5
What is the Best Cause?
How do you get the most value for your charitable dollars? How can you compare different causes to each other, and how do you compare different charities to each other? The guest in this week is Elie Hassenfeld from GiveWell, an organization that tries to find the answers to these questions.
3 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Discussion with Elie Hassenfeld, GiveWell
- Video: GiveWell's Recommended Charities
- Video: On Advocacy, Different Causes and GiveWell's Impact
WEEK 6
How Much Ought We Do to Help Others?
In this week you will meet three individuals who in different ways embody the ideal of effective altruism: Zell Kravinsky, Julia Wise and Alexander Berger.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Discussion with Zell Kravinsky, Julia Wise, and Alexander Berger
- Video: How Much Should You Give?
- Video: Questions and Answers, Part 1
- Video: Questions and Answers, Part 2
WEEK 7
Career Choice
In this week Will MacAskill and Matt Wage discuss effective altruism and career choice.
5 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Discussion with Will MacAskill and Matt Wage
- Video: Will MacAskill: An Ethical Career, Part 2
- Video: Matt Wage: Earning to Give in Practice
- Video: Questions and Answers, Part 1
- Video: Questions and Answers, Part 2
WEEK 8
The Giving Game
In this week you will have the opportunity to play the Giving Game.
1 video, 1 reading
- Reading: Topic Introduction: The Giving Game
WEEK 9
Why Act Ethically?
In this last week, we circle back to some foundational questions in ethics. What is the relationship between rationality, self-interest and ethics? How demanding is morality, and why exactly should be try to live an ethical life? In this week you will also find the final essay assignment.
3 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: Topic Introduction: Ethics, Rationality and Self-Interest
- Video: Ethics and Self-Interest
- Video: Ethics and Moral Saints
- Reading: Guide to Writing
- Reading: A Note on Plagiarism and Citing Sources
Graded: Essay Assignment
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Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. It is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution.
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