By Samuel Dupret. In effective altruism (EA), we are concerned with ‘doing the most good’. I argue that (1) there will be situations where Christians are also concerned about ‘doing the most good’, (2) it is important to think about how one defines and measures the ‘good’ in ‘doing the most good’, and (3) Christians - especially Christians in EA - have an important and unique contribution to make in defining ‘good’.
--- I love this actionable suggestion: "Personally, I seek to approach these situations in the following way: Have I accomplished my Christian duties (e.g., not having idols before God)? If so, how can I grow in virtue so that I am most like Christ? That being satisfied, how can I maximise ‘good’?"
--- "Jesus said we were to carry our cross and that we will share in his suffering": Is the positive attitude towards suffering about the definition of good? Or is it, rather, about the willingness to forego good *however good is defined* in order to achieve something else (proof of obedience, character cultivation, good consequences, etc)? (Maybe your text gives the answer but I wasn't sure)
--- I love this actionable suggestion: "Personally, I seek to approach these situations in the following way: Have I accomplished my Christian duties (e.g., not having idols before God)? If so, how can I grow in virtue so that I am most like Christ? That being satisfied, how can I maximise ‘good’?"
--- "Jesus said we were to carry our cross and that we will share in his suffering": Is the positive attitude towards suffering about the definition of good? Or is it, rather, about the willingness to forego good *however good is defined* in order to achieve something else (proof of obedience, character cultivation, good consequences, etc)? (Maybe your text gives the answer but I wasn't sure)