Effective Altruism, as realized, 2009-2025
Contemporary · realized scope
Effective Altruism is a philosophical and social movement that applies evidence-based reasoning and quantitative analysis to the question of how to do the most good with available resources. It emerged in the late 2000s and early 2010s, associated primarily with academic philosophers at Oxford University, including William MacAskill and Toby Ord, and has operated through organizations such as the Centre for Effective Altruism and GiveWell across multiple countries. Its principal intellectual foundations draw on utilitarian ethics and include cause prioritization frameworks addressing global health, animal welfare, and long-term risks to humanity.
Cluster:Pragmatic Achievement
Defined by elevated Evidence-Based Reasoning, with Achievement & Excellence, Material Aspiration, and Progress & Innovation running high alongside it. Sanctity & Transcendence and Tradition & Continuity sit low. The pattern is secular and outcome-focused: performance and evidence over inherited forms.
Full profile
All 22 dimensions in one fixed order, grouped by the contrast axis each feeds, so any two entities can be read side by side. Switch to “By axis” to group them by the axis each feeds.
Neighbors
- 1Effective Altruism, as stated, 21st c.Distance: 8Compare
- 2Stakeholder Capitalism, as stated, 1970s-presentDistance: 13Compare
- 3AI Safety Movement, as stated, 2000s-presentDistance: 15Compare
- 4World Bank, as realized, 2015-presentDistance: 15Compare
- 5World Health Organization, as realized, 1948-2020Distance: 15Compare
The Three Axes (Detail)
Each bar is one pole’s pull, pointing the way it pushes the result. The dot is where the two pulls add up.