William MacAskill - Doing Good Better book review

In a nutshell (272 pages), this is a decision-making model for choosing how to invest in charitable causes. MacAskill offers his view on choosing a charity for financial support as well as volunteering and choosing a career that will have the greatest positive impact on the world. The recommendations are probably not what someone would expect.

What I got out of it

There are a few essential questions that MacAskill suggests must be asked before committing your money to a cause. He explains the decision process well and it’s unlikely that anyone will have a major problem with his method. He steadily works towards the greatest efficiency he can for every dollar donated.

What was difficult

Not only should you not try to put a precise dollar figure on a good cause but MacAskill blatantly chooses which numbers to use in evaluating a cause then rounds up or down for effect. Most of what he discusses is great but the use of selective math and a clear bias against financial success makes him look like a living metaphor for what people call academics and intellectuals pejoratively. He is also very dismissive of ideas he doesn't like, which is a behaviour his book purports to correct.

Recommendation

I recommend reading this book, plus the paperback is pretty inexpensive. The second he starts making calculations and rounding numbers you can probably jump ahead. At the end of the day, we give money to try and help others. It’s good to avoid fraud and try to maximize the use of every dollar. I don’t know of a reasonable argument against that. But there is no one best answer and so long as you put a little thought into where, when, and why you are giving, then you are probably doing okay.