Temperance and prudence as virtues of an effective altruist

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/lie.3768

Keywords:

Effective Altruism, temperance, prudence

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyze the importance of two virtues: temperance and prudence 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 its basic assumptions are presented. Then, the paper focuses on the role of temperance and prudence in both theoretical refl ection on effective altruism and practice of life of people identifying themselves with 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
    Jakub Synowiec – Ph. D., an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, the Pontithcal University of John Paul II in Cracow. Scientithc interests: ethical argumentation, personalism, Peter Singer’s philosophy, effective altruism. Selected publications: Model argumentacji etycznej w etyce personalistycznej Karola Wojtyły i Tadeusza Stycznia, Kraków 2014; Ethics for Everyday Heroes – from Utilitarianism to Eff ective Altruism, in: “Ethics & Bioethics” (in Central Europe) 6 (2016) issue 3–4, s. 147–156; Jakie Peter Singer rzuca nam wyzwania, in: Etyka u schyłku drugiego tysiąclecia, Warszawa 2013, pp. 215–228.

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Published

2020-11-20

Issue

Vol. 26 (2020): Special issue

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2021 Jakub Synowiec

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