Effective Altruism, and the Ethics of Doing Good

Effective Altruism is often traced back to a thought experiment popularised by Peter Singer. You walk past a shallow pond and see a child drowning. You could save the child at the cost of ruining your clothes. Most of us agree that you ought to do so. Singer’s challenge is this: if distance and numbers don’t change the moral principle, why do we not feel the same obligation to help distant strangers whose lives we could save at relatively small cost?

This session will use Singer’s argument as a starting point to explore the philosophical foundations of Effective Altruism. We’ll ask whether this reasoning really justifies the demanding moral conclusions often drawn from it, and whether Effective Altruism is a persuasive extension of utilitarian ethics or an oversimplification of moral life.

As always at Philosophy Cafe London, the focus will be on philosophical discussion and critical engagement rather than advocacy.

Early bird tickets at £3 will be available until Mon 26 Jan

Where: Downstairs room, Square Pig, Holborn (private room)

NB: The event begins at 7pm, doors open at 6:50pm. Event ends at 9pm

Format: 10-minute intro talk → vote on questions → small-group discussion → share insights with the whole room

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