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In 2023, self-identitying Effective Altruists are and have been overwhelmingly men. Drawing inspiration from the works of feminist thinkers, we can explore an approach to household labor or housework by Effective Altruists that challenges gender disparities and promotes equality. One influential feminist thinker is Bell Hooks, Distinguished Professor in Residence at Berea College before her death. She is best known for her writings on race, feminism, and class, known for her exploration of intersectional feminism and the need for transformative relationships. In particular here, "The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love," which emphasizes the importance of men taking responsibility for their share of domestic labor.
Informed by Hooks' ideas, let's consider a couple comprising an effective altruist (EA) man and a partner who may not identify as an EA. In their pursuit of a more equitable distribution of housework, they, the couple implements a decision auction system to allocate household tasks. They begin by jointly identifying the various housework responsibilities, inspired by hooks' call to challenge gender norms and dismantle patriarchy. These tasks may include cleaning, cooking, childcare, financial management, and other necessary duties that may not otherwise be priorities for the EA.
In the decision auction, both partners, regardless of their gender or ideological affiliation, participate actively. They submit bids, influenced by hooks' emphasis on transformative relationships and the need for shared responsibility, indicating the amount they are willing to contribute to avoid undertaking specific tasks.
By synthesising hooks' ideas with this auction mechanism, the couple can consciously works towards creating a more balanced dynamic in their household. The person who submits the lowest bid for a particular task takes on the responsibility, aligning with hooks' vision of men actively engaging in domestic labor and nurturing transformative relationships.
In this way, the decision auction method, influenced by the ideas of bell hooks and other feminist thinkers, becomes a tangible expression of their ideals and contributes to the ongoing pursuit of gender equality and transformative relationships.
Moral Particularism and Moral Generalism are two contrasting approaches to ethics that can be examined in the context of the drowning child thought experiment and effective altruism.
Moral Particularism suggests that moral judgments should be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific details and context of each situation. It emphasizes the importance of individual circumstances, relationships, and the unique features of moral dilemmas. According to Moral Particularism, there are no fixed rules or principles that can be universally applied to determine right or wrong.
In the drowning child thought experiment, Moral Particularism would argue that the morally correct action depends on various factors such as how you are feeling that day, whether the child is known to you, and the potential risks involved. The particularist approach would not rely on a predetermined moral rule, such as "one should always save a drowning child," but would instead encourage a nuanced evaluation of the specific situation before deciding on the morally appropriate course of action.
On the other hand, Moral Generalism posits that moral judgments should be guided by general principles or rules that can be applied universally across different situations. It emphasizes the importance of consistency and seeks to establish a set of ethical guidelines that can provide clear and objective answers to moral dilemmas.
In the drowning child thought experiment, Moral Generalism would likely argue that saving the child is a moral obligation, regardless of the specific circumstances. It would uphold a general principle that places a high value on human life and promotes the duty to rescue those in immediate danger, even at personal cost.
Effective altruism is an ethical framework that combines elements of both Moral Particularism and Moral Generalism. It aims to maximize the overall well-being and reduce suffering in the world through rational and evidence-based decision-making. Effective altruists often employ consequentialist reasoning, where the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcomes.
Within effective altruism, there is recognition that Moral Generalism alone may not provide sufficient guidance to address complex moral problems. While general principles are valuable, they are often insufficient for capturing the full complexity of real-world situations. Effective altruists acknowledge the importance of context and specific circumstances in decision-making, aligning with the core tenets of Moral Particularism.
In the context of the drowning child thought experiment, effective altruism would encourage individuals to consider both the general principle of saving lives and the specific details of the situation. It would call for an evaluation of the potential impact of saving the child, considering factors such as the resources required, the opportunity costs involved, and the effectiveness of alternative actions. Effective altruism seeks to maximize overall positive outcomes and may prioritize actions that have the greatest potential to save lives or alleviate suffering, even if they deviate from strict general principles.