Book SummaryDoing Good Better, by William MacAskill

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Doing Good Better

Given the many formidable problems plaguing the world—like poverty, food insecurity, and climate change—it’s tempting to think that no lone individual can make a difference. But, according to philosopher and public intellectual William MacAskill, that line of thinking is mistaken. In Doing Good Better (2015), MacAskill argues that each of us can save hundreds of lives worldwide by maximizing the good we do for others. In particular, he defends effective altruism—the movement focused on doing the most good for others with our resources—and shows how to spend our time and money to help those in need.

(Shortform note: In addition to MacAskill, Oxford philosopher Toby Ord...

Doing Good Better Summary The Principles Behind Effective Altruism

To set the stage for effective altruism’s practical implications, we’ll first examine its theoretical foundations. In this section, we’ll discuss the three principles that lie at the heart of effective altruism: First, that our actions should maximize the net benefit to humanity; second, that we should reason counterfactually to decide which actions really make a difference; and third, that we should calculate the expected value of different actions when their consequences are unclear.

Principle #1: Maximize the Net Benefit to Humanity

First, MacAskill points out that each of us is faced with decisions about how to spend our time and money—should we splurge on a nice dinner, or eat at home and donate the money that we saved? Should we use our time to volunteer at a soup kitchen or an afterschool program? To answer these questions, he suggests that we consult the first principle of effective altruism: Perform the action that maximizes the net benefit to humanity.

To see how intuitive this principle is, consider wartime doctors who are forced to decide which patients to treat. Inevitably, they can’t treat everyone—some patients have fatal injuries beyond treatment....

Doing Good Better Summary The Practical Implications of Effective Altruism

Having explored the theoretical principles behind effective altruism, we’ll now discuss how these principles can help you make three key decisions—which career to pursue, which problems to address, and which charities to fund.

Determine Which Career Path to Take

According to MacAskill, the first decision that effective altruism can inform will determine how you spend 80,000 hours of your life—namely, which career you should pursue. He argues that, regardless of whether you decide to earn to give or work directly for altruistic causes, you should assess future careers along three considerations: How well do you personally align with the career? What will your immediate impact be? And what’s the long-term impact of your career?

Consideration #1: Alignment

First, MacAskill contends that careers that offer strong personal alignment are most conducive to effective altruism. He explains that, in careers that suit you well, you’ll be more likely to work productively and more resistant to burnout, meaning your long-term impact will be greater.

(Shortform note: Experts recommend [various strategies for deciding whether a job aligns well with...

Shortform Exercise: Consider Which Problems to Address

MacAskill suggests that, to decide which problems to address, we should assess them along three dimensions: magnitude, feasibility, and visibility. In this section, evaluate real-world problems along these lines and decide which are most worthy of your attention.

Write down three problems that you’ve considered addressing via donating. Why did these causes attract your attention?