The Rules of Rescue: Cost, Distance, and Effective Altruism

Theron Pummer argues in "The Rules of Rescue" that we are often morally required to engage in effective altruism, directing altruistic efforts in ways that help the most. He contends that even when the personal sacrifice involved makes it morally permissible not to help, it remains wrong to provide less help than more. Pummer argues that helping distant strangers is more morally akin to rescuing nearby strangers than most of us realize and that we are required to provide no less help over our lives than we would have done if we were effective altruists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

When faced with situations where sacrificing life and limb, time, and money is necessary to prevent harm to others, the question arises: when must we prioritize saving more lives over fewer? These dilemmas are not limited to emergencies involving strangers, such as drowning or trapped in burning buildings, but also manifest in our daily lives when we encounter opportunities to donate time or money to help distant strangers in need of food, shelter, or medical care. With the resources at our disposal, we have the capacity to provide more assistance or less.

In his book "The Rules of Rescue," Theron Pummer makes a compelling argument that we often have a moral obligation to engage in effective altruism, directing our altruistic efforts toward maximizing the benefit for others. Even when the personal sacrifice involved makes it morally permissible not to help at all, he contends that providing less help than more remains morally wrong. Pummer employs carefully crafted examples to support his claim that helping distant strangers is more morally akin to rescuing nearby strangers than we may realize. The prevalence of opportunities to assist distant strangers poses a challenge to morality, as it can make it exceedingly demanding. However, Pummer argues that it is only through adequate permissions, grounded in considerations of cost and autonomy, that we can pursue our own plans and projects.

In conclusion, Pummer's book challenges us to consider the moral implications of our actions and encourages us to prioritize saving more lives over fewer. By engaging in effective altruism and directing our resources toward those in need, we can make a significant impact on the lives of others and contribute to a more compassionate and just world.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 137 x 186 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190884147