Most people want to do good—but how do you know if you're really making a difference? Doing Good Better introduces the concept of Effective Altruism, a movement that combines compassion with evidence and reason. William MacAskill argues that some ways of helping are hundreds of times more effective than others, and we have a moral responsibility to make our impact count. This book is a roadmap to using your resources—whether time, money, or skills—to achieve maximum good.
🔑 25 Key Concepts from Doing Good Better
1. Effective Altruism = Empathy + Evidence
It’s not enough to care—we must act based on data, not emotion.
2. Not All Charities Are Equal
Some charities save hundreds of times more lives per dollar than others. Choose wisely.
3. Cost-Effectiveness is Critical
Ask: How much good does this action do per dollar or hour? Compare alternatives.
4. Think Globally, Not Locally
Helping people in developing countries often has a far greater impact per dollar.
5. The Neglectedness Principle
Focus on problems few others are addressing—your contribution goes further.
6. Room for More Funding
Even a great charity might have diminishing returns if it's already well-funded.
7. GiveWell and Charity Evaluators Matter
Use trusted research organizations like GiveWell.org to find evidence-based charities.
8. Earning to Give
Sometimes the best way to do good is to pursue a high-paying career and donate a large portion to effective causes.
9. Moral Responsibility of the Privileged
If you’re wealthy by global standards (which most in developed countries are), you have an outsized ability to help.
10. QALY (Quality-Adjusted Life Year)
Use metrics like QALYs to measure health interventions more accurately.
11. Don’t Rely on Stories Alone
Heart-warming anecdotes may be misleading. Prioritize data-backed results.
12. Futility Thinking is a Trap
Saying “we can’t help everyone” isn’t a reason to do nothing—you can still help many.
13. Emotional Bias Undermines Impact
Our emotions often focus on visible problems, not the most urgent or impactful ones.
14. Career Choice = Huge Lever for Impact
Your career is 80,000+ hours—choose one where your skills and values can do the most good.
15. High-Impact Opportunities Are Unintuitive
Sometimes the least glamorous efforts (e.g., anti-malarial nets) save far more lives than dramatic ones.
16. Tractability Matters
Work on problems that are solvable and responsive to effort, not just urgent.
17. Consider Long-Term Future Impact
Small differences now can multiply over decades or centuries. Think long-range.
18. Be Rational About Giving
Don’t donate impulsively. Apply critical thinking like you would in investing.
19. Avoid Pitfalls of Overhead Obsession
A charity’s “administrative cost” doesn’t tell you much—outcomes matter more than percentages.
20. Systemic Change vs. Direct Aid
Sometimes policy, advocacy, or research have higher ROI than immediate aid.
21. Every Dollar is a Trade-Off
Donating to one cause means not donating to another. Consider opportunity cost.
22. Measure, Learn, Iterate
Effective altruism is about continuous learning—adjust as you learn what works.
23. Altruism is a Skill You Can Grow
Being a better giver, thinker, or doer takes practice, feedback, and discipline.
24. Advocate, Don’t Just Act
Spreading the ideas of effective altruism can multiply your impact by influencing others.
25. Aim for High Impact, Not Just Good Intentions
Your goal isn’t to feel good—it’s to do the most good you can with the resources you have.
🌍 Final Thought: Small Choices, Massive Global Good
Doing Good Better urges us to replace feel-good charity with effective action. If you care about truly improving lives, this book challenges you to think rigorously and act boldly. Whether you're donating money, choosing a career, or spending your time, your decisions can save lives, prevent suffering, and shape a better world—if you choose wisely.
📘 Want to maximize your impact in life and giving? Read the full book, Doing Good Better, and start making smarter, more compassionate choices today.
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