Discussion: Population Ethics
Population ethics is highly relevant to many areas of EA, and to important world decisions in general. Given the importance of population-ethical questions, we should try to deal with this difficulty. So let's meet to discuss:
- The reasons for and against each 'solution' to population ethics
- How we should personally deal with the conflicting intuitions we have
This discussion will be open to all, but it will be best if you are already familiar with effective altruism or have some experience with philosophy. Please prepare by engaging with one of the following:
Easy: a short lecture on the topic, but note that it doesn't discuss person-affecting views.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyVLP6KZBSc&list=PLoQ3k1ojF4m3brBzVwfb9Lp4gI6Rp8LFq&ab_channel=Science%2CTechnology%26theFuture
Medium (and most recommended): an encyclopedia article covering all topics (but note that pop. ethics is not only relevant for utilitarians or consequentialists) https://utilitarianism.net/population-ethics/#practical-implications-of-population-ethical-theories
Hard: the philosophy paper "Population Axiology" by Hillary Greaves. This involves some maths and remains at a rather abstract level.
https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/phc3.12442
One optional extra: an article arguing that pop. ethics problems are NOT just a problem for utilitarianism: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/AgQx44vtw5bi4LmBh/puzzles-for-everyone
Lastly, here is a document with my own summary of the topic and some discussion questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GRt_B34kNODNP_Pm4q4CIE1ACqhcCgNLKkLeIG8Fek4/edit
We'll meet at Marzilli, or at the Hauptbahnhof beforehand if you want to walk down with me. If you have questions or want to coordinate meeting, message me (Tristan) on +41 78 320 24 75 (whatsapp, telegram or signal)