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.
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Effective Altruism
Princeton UniversityAbout this Course
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Beginner Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish, Romanian
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish, Romanian
Offered by
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.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
4 hours to complete
Getting Started with the Course
This week we share what this course is about. 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.
4 hours to complete
13 videos (Total 159 min), 7 readings, 1 quiz
13 videos
Reasoning in Ethics13m
Subjectivism4m
Cultural Relativism13m
Objectivism19m
Religion and Ethics9m
Introduction to Consequentialism11m
Utilitarianism13m
Objections to Utilitarianism and Possible Utilitarian Responses15m
Deontology15m
Exceptionless Moral Rules8m
Natural Law Ethics10m
Absolute Rights or Prima Facie Duties17m
7 readings
Course Overview10m
Overview of Videos10m
Effective Altruism Resources10m
Discussion Forum Guidelines10m
Keep in Touch10m
Topic Introduction: Meta-Ethics10m
Topic Introduction: Normative Ethical Theories10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 115m
3 hours to complete
Poverty and Affluence
What obligations do the affluent have towards those who live in extreme poverty? 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. Furthermore, 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.
3 hours to complete
12 videos (Total 138 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
12 videos
The Affluent, the Poor and the Rule of Easy Rescue14m
Objections to the Pond Analogy 15m
The Effectiveness of Aid4m
What is Poverty?8m
Helping People Solve Their Own Problems10m
Evaluating Oxfam's Work12m
Thomas Pogge's Argument About Global Poverty10m
Institutional Human Rights Violations20m
Why 'Does Aid Work?' is the Wrong Question to Ask12m
What Works?15m
Heart Plus Mind6m
4 readings
Topic Introduction: The Pond Story10m
Topic Introduction: Discussion with Raymond Offenheiser10m
Topic Introduction: Poverty as Human Rights Violations10m
Topic Introduction: Discussion with Dean Karlan10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 210m
2 hours to complete
What is the Best Cause? How Much Ought We Do to Help Others?
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? One of the guests this week is Elie Hassenfeld from GiveWell, an organization that tries to find the answers to these questions. This week you will also meet three individuals who in different ways embody the ideal of effective altruism: Zell Kravinsky, Julia Wise and Alexander Berger.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 70 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
7 videos
GiveWell's Recommended Charities7m
On Advocacy, Different Causes and GiveWell's Impact9m
Reasons for Giving11m
How Much Should You Give?13m
Questions and Answers, Part 16m
Questions and Answers, Part 210m
2 readings
Topic Introduction: Discussion with Elie Hassenfeld, GiveWell10m
Topic Introduction: Discussion with Zell Kravinsky, Julia Wise, and Alexander Berger10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 310m
1 hour to complete
Effective Altruism and Career Choice
This week Will MacAskill and Matt Wage discuss effective altruism and career choice.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 47 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
5 videos
Will MacAskill: An Ethical Career, Part 25m
Matt Wage: Earning to Give in Practice5m
Questions and Answers, Part 19m
Questions and Answers, Part 26m
1 reading
Topic Introduction: Discussion with Will MacAskill and Matt Wage10m
1 practice exercise
Quiz 410m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM EFFECTIVE ALTRUISM
by JBJan 22, 2018
Excellent material on a much needed topic. The course brought together a good number of strong and important ideas, well backed by research and with very interesting and relevant guest speakers.
by NRApr 4, 2020
Very insightful course, opened my eyes to the importance of an indepth analysis when considering charitable donations. Also introduced valuable resources when considering how and what to give.
by LCApr 18, 2017
What a wonderful course. It gives each of us a way to help in the best possible manner. One would think that only serious philanthropists can help when in fact every single person can.
by JTMar 28, 2017
Thought provoking and persuasive, this course is both an excellent introduction to the study of ethics and to the growing movement striving for a better world - effective altruism.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
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