About this Course

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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.
All the features of this course are available for free.  It does not offer a certificate upon completion.

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Beginner Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.81/5 (138 Ratings)

Peter Singer

Ira W. Decamp Professor of Bioethics

University Center for Human Values

51,015 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(3,706 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

Getting Started with the Course

4 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 159 min), 7 readings, 1 quiz

13 videos

Welcome to Effective Altruism6m

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

Week

2

Week 2

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

Global Poverty and the Pond Story5m

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

Week

3

Week 3

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

The Story and Work of GiveWell11m

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

Week

4

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Effective Altruism and Career Choice

1 hour to complete

5 videos (Total 47 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Reviews

4.7

178 reviews

5 stars
80.86%
4 stars
14.35%
3 stars
3.03%
2 stars
0.95%
1 star
0.79%

TOP REVIEWS FROM EFFECTIVE ALTRUISM

by MDApr 27, 2020

Life-changing and very inspirational! Thank you, Professor Singer, for making this available for the general public.

by NDMar 29, 2018

I really enjoyed the course and it went beyond my expectations. The best part for me were the discussions Peter had with the various guests.

by RANov 26, 2021

All lectures of MR peter are understandable and informative. i learned from it alot. Thank you for heling us.

by HDJun 6, 2016

Audited the course. Found the information quite useful. In the quest to live an evermore ethical life, Peter Singer helps to bring light to the issues at hand in an accessible way.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
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The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

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Effective Altruism

Effective Altruism

About this Course