Why Are You So Confident?
Justified confidence requires strong argument
Philosophy
Bentham's Bulldog.
A blog about utilitarianism, ethics, and effective altruism.
Recent essays
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Don’t fill out the consultation form yet--it’s unclear what the best alternative stunning method is
Talking With Daniel Munoz (IN PERSON!)
A recording from Bentham's Bulldog's live video
Broadtermism
Longtermism for space
Longtermism For Animals
Making the far future go well for animals should be the top priority of the animal rights movement
The Scariest Recent AI Development
AGI might be imminent
Dario Amodei’s Contemptible Critics
These people are *figuratively* Ayn Rand villains
Taking Torture Seriously
Obvious and worldview upending
Time in Heaven
Would there be ordinary temporal succession? If I saw you in heaven?
The Vindication of Normal Politics
SLOW BORING HAS BEEN VINDICATED AT THE BALLOT BOX
Extreme Vegan Claims Aren’t Hyperbole
They are true
AI Consciousness Debate: Michael Huemer vs. Simon Goldstein
Might near-term AI be conscious?
Does Christianity Make Sense?
Reviewing Gavin Ortlund’s book. Or, more precisely, using the excuse of reviewing Gavin Ortlund’s book to provide a comprehensive deep dive into the all the main arguments for Christianity.
“AIs Without Minds” Without Convincing Arguments
Why I disagree with Ellen Burns
Hell is Suspicious
And likely, as traditionally conceived, non-existent
Ban Foie Gras!
If you’re in DC, vote yes on Initiative 86
Only Effective Altruists Should be Anti-Effective Altruism
The only situation in which you should think that the effective altruism movement has been bad is if you share many EA views
The Argument For God From Knowledge
We know many things. That makes it likelier that God exists.
Unpopular Effective Altruist Views Are Simply Correct
EAs think some non-standard things. But the general public thinks--or acts like it thinks--some much less plausible things
Impactful Places to Donate
And why now is a good time to give
Trump Derangement Syndrome Has Been Vindicated
Those who were hysterical in 2016 were substantially correct in their predictions about Trump
Talking With Simon Goldstein About Why Biological Naturalism is False
Watch now (78 mins) | The leading theory for ruling out AI consciousness is very implausible
Nature is Wrong About AI Consciousness
Three eminent thinkers published a piece in Nature arguing that AI is very unlikely to be conscious. Their arguments are unsuccessful.
Private Law For AIs
Why giving AI the ability to own property, enforce contracts, and sue would benefit humans
If Every Blade of Grass Screamed
Morning fields of amber pain
Effective Altruists Should Grow a Spine
Your fave is problematic effective altruism
Schmotte and Bailey: Pledge
A common complaint about EA is definitively wrong
Giant Dialogues
Do giants matter in the aggregate more than humans?
Leif Wenar’s Bad Criticisms of Effective Altruism
Is Sam Bankman Fried the person who “most fully lived out [Effective Altruism’s] credo to do the most good with the resources available”
*Of Course* Conscious AI Would Matter Morally
Assuming it has reasonable amounts of welfare. And it likely will.