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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Coursera Labs

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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.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

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

51,541 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(3,730 ratings)

Week1

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 Altruism6mReasoning in Ethics13mSubjectivism4mCultural Relativism13mObjectivism19mReligion and Ethics9mIntroduction to Consequentialism11mUtilitarianism13mObjections to Utilitarianism and Possible Utilitarian Responses15mDeontology15mExceptionless Moral Rules8mNatural Law Ethics10mAbsolute Rights or Prima Facie Duties17m

7 readings

Course Overview10mOverview of Videos10mEffective Altruism Resources10mDiscussion Forum Guidelines10mKeep in Touch10mTopic Introduction: Meta-Ethics10mTopic Introduction: Normative Ethical Theories10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 115m

Week2

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 Story5mThe Affluent, the Poor and the Rule of Easy Rescue14mObjections to the Pond Analogy 15mThe Effectiveness of Aid4mWhat is Poverty?8mHelping People Solve Their Own Problems10mEvaluating Oxfam's Work12mThomas Pogge's Argument About Global Poverty10mInstitutional Human Rights Violations20mWhy 'Does Aid Work?' is the Wrong Question to Ask12mWhat Works?15mHeart Plus Mind6m

4 readings

Topic Introduction: The Pond Story10mTopic Introduction: Discussion with Raymond Offenheiser10mTopic Introduction: Poverty as Human Rights Violations10mTopic Introduction: Discussion with Dean Karlan10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 210m

Week3

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 GiveWell11mGiveWell's Recommended Charities7mOn Advocacy, Different Causes and GiveWell's Impact9mReasons for Giving11mHow Much Should You Give?13mQuestions and Answers, Part 16mQuestions and Answers, Part 210m

2 readings

Topic Introduction: Discussion with Elie Hassenfeld, GiveWell10mTopic Introduction: Discussion with Zell Kravinsky, Julia Wise, and Alexander Berger10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 310m

Week4

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

179 reviews

5 stars
80.82%
4 stars
14.42%
3 stars
3.01%
2 stars
0.95%
1 star
0.79%

TOP REVIEWS FROM EFFECTIVE ALTRUISM

by SPAug 3, 2022

Wonderful course. Professor is excellent in subject as well as to convey his idea. I love the mix of lectures and guests' speakers. Thank professor Singer and Coursera for offering this course.

by AWSep 13, 2017

An excellent course on philosophical topics related to altruism. Also, a practical guide that can help steer charity from less to more worthy causes.

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 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Effective Altruism

Effective Altruism

About this Course