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Effective Altruism Handbook
What is the EA Handbook?
It’s an introduction to some of the core concepts in effective altruism.
If you’re new to effective altruism, it should give you an overview of the key ideas and problems that we’ve found so far. But if you have already engaged with effective altruism, there should be some new insights amongst the familiar ideas.
The pieces are a mix of essays and adaptations of conference talks. We’ve tried to put them in an order that makes sense. Together we think they cover some of the key ideas in the effective altruism community.
Why a new edition?
The first edition of the EA Handbook is now 3 years old. As a community, we’ve changed a lot in those three years, and learnt a lot. In fact, comparing the new handbook with the old is a good way to get a sense of just how much intellectual progress we’ve made.
After consulting with Ryan Carey, the editor of the old handbook, we agreed it was time for something new, and for a slightly more polished design. Stefan Schubert and I compiled a list of talks and articles, and the authors were gracious enough to give us permission. With the help of a small army of transcribers and copy-editors, and Laura Pomarius’ design skills, we brought it together.
What next?
We hope that this becomes a reference point for people who are new to effective altruism, and a summary that local groups can share with their members.
We are not currently planning to make a physical version of the EA Handbook: we think that the articles and design are high quality for an online pdf. However, we worry that it might damage the brand of effective altruism to distribute or sell physical copies of a resource which remains only a collection of articles and talks, rather than a polished book.
It’s an introduction to some of the core concepts in effective altruism.
If you’re new to effective altruism, it should give you an overview of the key ideas and problems that we’ve found so far. But if you have already engaged with effective altruism, there should be some new insights amongst the familiar ideas.
The pieces are a mix of essays and adaptations of conference talks. We’ve tried to put them in an order that makes sense. Together we think they cover some of the key ideas in the effective altruism community.
Why a new edition?
The first edition of the EA Handbook is now 3 years old. As a community, we’ve changed a lot in those three years, and learnt a lot. In fact, comparing the new handbook with the old is a good way to get a sense of just how much intellectual progress we’ve made.
After consulting with Ryan Carey, the editor of the old handbook, we agreed it was time for something new, and for a slightly more polished design. Stefan Schubert and I compiled a list of talks and articles, and the authors were gracious enough to give us permission. With the help of a small army of transcribers and copy-editors, and Laura Pomarius’ design skills, we brought it together.
What next?
We hope that this becomes a reference point for people who are new to effective altruism, and a summary that local groups can share with their members.
We are not currently planning to make a physical version of the EA Handbook: we think that the articles and design are high quality for an online pdf. However, we worry that it might damage the brand of effective altruism to distribute or sell physical copies of a resource which remains only a collection of articles and talks, rather than a polished book.
168 pages, ebook
First published April 23, 2015
7 people are currently reading
636 people want to read
About the author
Max Dalton
25 booksMax Dalton is a graphic artist and illustrator currently based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has worked on numerous advertising and editorial projects, designed book covers, and illustrated a number of children's picture-books.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 3, 2018
A good introduction to some of the ideas behind Effective Altruism and the organisations working within the field.
October 15, 2024
This was a really good primer on Effective Altruism. One of my favourite reads this year. The main content is fairly extensive with many links to explore further. I followed along with the Introductory EA virtual program which made the read even more enjoyable.
June 8, 2018
A little too much focus on the far future for my liking, even as someone fairly convinced that we need to be worried about AI safety. I imagine the dilemma of how exactly to prioritise the long term and short term will continue to be controversial for the community going forward. Overall though, a great collection of introductory writing on some of the guiding principles of effective altruism. Free download.
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(Guide to my rating system)
5☆ - A classic. Influential on a 50-year scale and/or something which I have very strong personal feelings for.
4☆ - A great book. Influential on a 10-year scale and/or something which I really enjoyed reading.
3☆ - A good book. Influential on a 1-year scale and/or something which I liked reading.
2☆ - A not-so-good book. Possibly not worth the time to read and/or something which I disliked reading.
1☆ - A near-useless book. Probably not worth the time to read and/or something which I really disliked reading.
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(Guide to my rating system)
5☆ - A classic. Influential on a 50-year scale and/or something which I have very strong personal feelings for.
4☆ - A great book. Influential on a 10-year scale and/or something which I really enjoyed reading.
3☆ - A good book. Influential on a 1-year scale and/or something which I liked reading.
2☆ - A not-so-good book. Possibly not worth the time to read and/or something which I disliked reading.
1☆ - A near-useless book. Probably not worth the time to read and/or something which I really disliked reading.
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June 29, 2015
Great summary of the movement so far and simple introduction to the key ideas of EA. Will be handing this out to anyone and everyone :)
February 16, 2021
The book provides an introduction to a sophisticated, fairly young social movement. The discussed ideas are broadly applicable in political and social areas. It gives an overview and introduction of promising areas of influencal work for values we all hold up as an open society. It goes through main problem areas like the risks (but also opportunities) from artificial intelligence, biosecurity, influence in government, health and development and animal welfare. It advocates for the consideration of the long-term future of the human race and a few potential suffering scenarios. It explains key considerations and principles like the value of new information in these fields.
An updated third edition of this book can be found on the following link: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/s...
An updated third edition of this book can be found on the following link: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/s...
October 16, 2024
This has been replaced by a living collection here: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/h...
And there is a free online course for it here: https://www.effectivealtruism.org/vir...
It's definitely worth reading, and the exercises are great. It shows how broad the tent is, and how many arguments lead to the same conclusion: we should be thinking carefully about doing the most good we can. There's just too much at stake.
And there is a free online course for it here: https://www.effectivealtruism.org/vir...
It's definitely worth reading, and the exercises are great. It shows how broad the tent is, and how many arguments lead to the same conclusion: we should be thinking carefully about doing the most good we can. There's just too much at stake.
May 25, 2022
Good primer on EA’s founding principles. The global priority list and charity evaluations have changed quite a bit compared to when the handbook was written, but the core ideas remain relevant and clarifies common misconceptions about EA.
February 3, 2020
Really great introduction to EA. Definitely interested in learning more.
June 18, 2023
Finished exhaustively reading this as a part of facilitating "The Introductory EA Program". Still a great intro. Though some parts seem a bit out of date (not surprisingly, especially on AI).
September 22, 2024
tan utilitarista que es torna carabassa
January 18, 2016
The effective altruism movement seeks to apply objective measures to evaluate how much impact charities and causes can generate, and then using this as a criteria to choose where to donate to. It seems like a very interesting theme to me, even though I think that there are more criteria involved in selecting how to best give your money/time/resources.
This handbook contains a series of short essays which work as an introduction to the topic.
It's important to observe that this movement has three pillars: evaluating all the possible "paths" and choosing the one that has the highest impact; using evidences and objective criteria to figure that out; and choose to make altruism an important part of one's life.
This handbook contains a series of short essays which work as an introduction to the topic.
It's important to observe that this movement has three pillars: evaluating all the possible "paths" and choosing the one that has the highest impact; using evidences and objective criteria to figure that out; and choose to make altruism an important part of one's life.
June 6, 2015
Most of the essays are excellent and it is very much appreciated to have them in one collection.
If you are unfamiliar with Effective Altruism, this gives an overview of the main concepts and branches, but I'd suggest to read Efficient Charity: Do Unto Others by Scott Alexander right after Peter Singer's opening essay and maybe skip on first read the detailed reports by some organisations.
Recommended.
If you are unfamiliar with Effective Altruism, this gives an overview of the main concepts and branches, but I'd suggest to read Efficient Charity: Do Unto Others by Scott Alexander right after Peter Singer's opening essay and maybe skip on first read the detailed reports by some organisations.
Recommended.
September 25, 2015
Interesting analytical take on altruism.
April 1, 2023
A short introduction to the core ideas of the effective altruism movement, some of its priority areas for work, and key organizations in the movement.
Read
August 20, 2018the arguments make sense to me, and i appreciate how charities have been evaluated so transparently and rigorously. also enjoyed reading about how to maximise career impact - it's good to have clear-cut criteria on what makes an impactful or fulfilling career. not necessarily work in an NGO or charity. impact in terms of deriving satisfaction from on the ground work and making a donation are very different. neither is necessarily better but the first one is very much related to outward appearances and societal expectations (if it's rooted in your desire for others to find you generous, altruistic, kind-hearted etc) while the latter likely tackles issues more effectively even if you aren't situated on the frontlines. assistance doesn't have to be direct to be impactful.
this idea of effectiveness resonates with me a lot. really interested in getting involved in cambridge, but somehow still not convinced about donating. i know i'm being selfish. all in due time!!
this idea of effectiveness resonates with me a lot. really interested in getting involved in cambridge, but somehow still not convinced about donating. i know i'm being selfish. all in due time!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews