The Importance of Cause Prioritisation

One of the most fundamental questions in effective altruism is: How can we do the most good with the resources we have? This is where cause Prioritisation comes in—a framework for systematically identifying which problems deserve the most attention.

Why Cause Prioritisation Matters

Resources are finite. Time, money, and effort spent on one cause mean fewer resources for another. By evaluating causes based on scale, neglectedness, and tractability, we can focus on the areas where our efforts will have the most significant impact.

Take the example of global health interventions. The cost of saving one life through certain programs—like providing antimalarial bed nets—is vastly lower than other interventions, such as training a guide dog for a blind individual. While both are noble causes, prioritising the more cost-effective intervention allows us to save many more lives.

The Framework in Action

Using this approach, organisations like GiveWell identify high-impact opportunities for donors. They recommend charities working on pressing issues like malaria prevention, deworming treatments, and cash transfers to the poorest households.

The results are striking. For just a few thousand dollars, a life can be saved or dramatically improved. Without Prioritisation, these opportunities might be overlooked.

The Moral Case

Some might argue this approach feels too utilitarian or abstract. But at its heart, cause Prioritisation asks us to put empathy into action by ensuring that our resources help the greatest number of people.

To make a real difference, we must embrace the uncomfortable truth: Not all problems are equally important to solve. By focusing on the most impactful issues, we can achieve extraordinary outcomes.