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The Most Good You Can Do
Book

The Most Good You Can Do

How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas About Living Ethically

Yale UP, 2015 plus...


Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Controversial
  • Innovative
  • Well Structured

Recommendation

“Effective altruism” pioneer Peter Singer advocates taking a pragmatic approach to giving. To reduce suffering and save lives, do your research and place your money with organizations where it will do the most good. Singer provides giving guidelines and noteworthy case studies of people whose lifestyles support these ideals. The chapters about how to choose a charity will intrigue readers who are willing to wrestle with philosophical questions such as whether curing blindness or feeding the starving is the worthier cause. For others, the inherent challenges of these moral dilemmas can make the book a weighty read that poses ethical questions. Though Singer’s concept of what makes a donation most valuable may spark some debates, getAbstract finds that this practical approach to giving will intrigue anyone looking for effective ways to help others.  

Take-Aways

  • “Effective altruism” is a pragmatic approach to charitable giving.
  • It focuses on supporting organizations that are most effective at saving lives and reducing suffering.
  • Most people do little or no research before donating, but effective altruists study which charities are most successful at helping others and then donate accordingly.

About the Author

Princeton University bioethics professor Peter Singer’s other books include Animal Liberation, Practical Ethics and The Life You Can Save.


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