Prudence and Restraint as Virtues of an Effective Altruist

Authors

  • Jakub Synowiec Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II w Krakowie

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/lie.2339

Keywords:

Effective Altruism, restraint, prudence

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyze the importance of two virtues: prudence and restraint for genesis of the Effective Altruism and practice of life of effective altruists, on the basis of philosophical works of two main representatives of the idea and movement: Peter Singer and William MacAskill. In the first part of the paper genesis of the movement and it’s basic assumptions are presented. Than, the paper focuses on the role of prudence and restraint in both theoretical reflection on effective altruism and practice of life of people identifying themselves withe the movement, with reference to Aristotle’s understanding of the virtues. It is argued, that these virtues are crucial in the practice of life of an effective altruist. In the last part the paper focuses on the idea that Effective Altruism is in a sense an alternative to consumerism and can play a role in bringing mentioned virtues back into public life.

Author Biography

  • Jakub Synowiec, Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II w Krakowie
    Jakub Synowiec – dr, adiunkt w katedrze etyki na Wydziale Filozoficznym Uni­wersy­te­tu Pa­pies­kiego Jana Pawła II w Krakowie. Za­in­te­resowania naukowe: argumentacja etyczna, personalizm, filozofia Petera Sin­gera, efektywny altruizm. Wybrane publikacje: Model argumentacji etycznej w etyce personalistycznej Karola Wojtyły i Tadeusza Stycznia, Kraków 2014; Ethics for Every­day Heroes – from Uti­li­tarianism to Effective Altruism, w: „Ethics & Bioethics” (in Cen­tral Europe) 6 (2016) issue 3–4, s. 147–156; Jakie Peter Singer rzuca nam wyzwania, w: Etyka u schyłku drugiego tysiąclecia, Warsza­wa 2013, s. 215–228.

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Published

2018-02-01

Issue

Vol. 23 (2017): Umiar i rozsądek w sferze społecznej

Section

Articles

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