Tyler Cowen defends effective altruism as 'this century's biggest idea'
AndyMasley · x · 2026-10-07
Tyler Cowen pens "In Defense of Effective Altruism" at The Free Press, echoing The Economist's take that EA is "this century's biggest idea."
- EA-linked Coefficient Giving plans to spend $2B+ this year from its $40B fund on causes from AI safety to cage-free eggs — likely exceeding the Ford, Rockefeller and Walton foundations combined
- Named in 2011, EA is surging because of its adherents inside suddenly dominant AI labs; recent press has portrayed them as a Bay Area cult
- Cowen argues EA is directionally correct even if you shouldn't follow every recommendation, though its utilitarian core differs from Christianity and commonsense morality
Sharer mattbeard quips Cowen is "self-recommending as usual."
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