Effective Altruism
EA
A philosophy and social movement that uses evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to do good — asking not just "should I help?" but "where will my help go furthest?"
Origin
The movement grew from philosopher Peter Singer's influential 1972 essay "Famine, Affluence, and Morality," which argued that affluent people are morally obligated to prevent suffering when they can do so at little cost. In 2009, Oxford philosopher Toby Ord founded Giving What We Can, and in 2011 William MacAskill co-founded the Centre for Effective Altruism. The name "effective altruism" was chosen by vote in December 2011.
Everyday Use
Instead of donating to whichever charity tugs at your heartstrings, effective altruism asks: where does a dollar save the most lives or prevent the most suffering? It's the difference between giving impulsively and giving strategically — and it applies to career choices, volunteering, and even how you spend your time.