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Best books to learn Effective altruism, in order

Effective altruism is a young movement built on a few provocative philosophical claims, so a good path starts with the core argument before the controversies. Begin with the founding case for doing good more effectively, then the debates over cause prioritization and longtermism, and finally the sharpest external critiques, so a genuinely contested idea is engaged with both its strongest form and its serious objections.

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Reading paths for effective altruism

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning effective altruism?
Effective altruism is a young movement built on a few provocative philosophical claims, so a good path starts with the core argument before the controversies. Begin with the founding case for doing good more effectively, then the debates over cause prioritization and longtermism, and finally the sharpest external critiques, so a genuinely contested idea is engaged with both its strongest form and its serious objections.
What's a good book to start effective altruism with?
A strong starting point is Doing Good Better by William MacAskill. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after effective altruism?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like Italian literature, Spanish literature, Nigerian literature.

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