Death in a Shallow Pond: A Philosopher, A Drowning Child, and Strangers in Need
Singer published a drowning-child argument in 1972, and it grew into effective altruism. Edmonds takes the philosophy seriously and follows what money did to it.
Edmonds traces Singer drowning-child argument from a 1972 paper to the effective altruism movement it helped create, taking the philosophy seriously while following what happened once it met money and institutions. He wrote the standard biography of Derek Parfit, and brings the same willingness to treat living philosophers as characters with motives.
Recommended by 1 Person
Tyler Cowen
An engaging but also intellectually serious history of some strands of utilitarianism and effective altruism. I was happy to blurb this book, you may recall Edmonds also wrote the excellent biography of Derek Parfit.
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