Fundamental Value Change

Abstract

Abstract Chapter 8, “Fundamental Value Change,” discusses whether societal moral attitudes toward effectiveness in altruistic contexts could change. Could people become more inclined to think that it is important to be effective when helping others? A survey of the literature on how philosophical arguments influence attitudes and behavior shows that the effects are mixed. The upshot is that arguments may have the greatest effect on people who find expansive altruism and effectiveness-focus intuitively appealing (i.e., the effective altruist enthusiasts from Chapter 7). Next, it is shown that social norms can be powerful vehicles of change. People are strongly influenced by their peers. If some people were to adopt effectiveness-oriented thinking in their altruistic efforts, others would become more likely to do so as well. In this way, a norm cascade may be triggered, leading to higher adoption rates.