Key Term

What is Effective Altruism?

Definition

Effective Altruism is a philosophical and social movement that advocates using evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to benefit others and make the world better. It emphasizes maximizing the positive impact of charitable giving by carefully analyzing and comparing different causes and interventions based on factors such as scale, tractability, and neglectedness.

Significance

Effective Altruism has revolutionized modern philanthropy by introducing a more systematic, data-driven approach to charitable giving. It challenges donors to think beyond emotional appeals and consider where their resources can do the most good, often highlighting causes that may be less visible but have greater potential impact. This movement has influenced major philanthropists, spawned numerous charitable organizations, and created frameworks for evaluating charitable effectiveness that help donors make more informed decisions about their giving strategies.