The Good Fight William MacAskill on Effective Altruism
Nov 15, 2025
William MacAskill, a moral philosopher and cofounder of the effective altruism movement, engages in a thought-provoking discussion about maximizing good through charity. He critiques typical donor behaviors and advocates for evidence-backed giving. The conversation explores the risks posed by AI, ranking it as a top concern alongside pandemics and climate change. MacAskill also highlights the importance of preparing for advanced AI and the potential for a future where technology enhances human flourishing.
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Earning To Give As A Strategy
- If you can earn much more in a high-paying career, consider donating a large fraction to high-impact causes.
- Use comparative advantage: fund others or nonprofits if you can produce far greater philanthropic value by earning first.
Power’s Corrupting Dynamic
- Corruption and loss of moral compass often follow concentrated success and power, not just bad character.
- MacAskill emphasizes designing institutions with oversight instead of assuming only bad people cause harms.
Personal Regret Over SBF Connection
- MacAskill calls his association with Sam Bankman-Fried a matter of great shame given the harm SBF caused.
- He attributes SBF's failure partly to corruption by power and extreme hubris.
