But that’s obviously a self-selecting issue: you’re not going to set up a charity to help if you don’t think help HELPS.
Imagine two charities, one devotes nearly all its resources to helping, the other devotes much of its resources to making itself look appealing to donors. Which one is going to get more donations and thus become bigger? The problem is that donating to charity is the ultimate credence good since the donor frequently has no way to tell whether or how much the donation is helping?
I think I agree with this: though it’s different to the one I was making, which is that if we ask ‘what do the most charitable think’ we will see that they believe in charity. As in many areas, you only become expert if you think that the area is worthwhile.
On your point: very possibly true, though you would hope that the best way to look appealing involves helping, plus the individuals involved will actually want to help. Just as politicians’ success is ‘getting re-elected’, businessmen’s success is ‘getting promoted’ and arguably people’s social success is ‘being liked’, but hopefully these aims are partially or largely pursued through the more positive side of what they’re meant to do: help the country, help the company and being a good friend.
Imagine two charities, one devotes nearly all its resources to helping, the other devotes much of its resources to making itself look appealing to donors. Which one is going to get more donations and thus become bigger? The problem is that donating to charity is the ultimate credence good since the donor frequently has no way to tell whether or how much the donation is helping?
I think I agree with this: though it’s different to the one I was making, which is that if we ask ‘what do the most charitable think’ we will see that they believe in charity. As in many areas, you only become expert if you think that the area is worthwhile.
On your point: very possibly true, though you would hope that the best way to look appealing involves helping, plus the individuals involved will actually want to help. Just as politicians’ success is ‘getting re-elected’, businessmen’s success is ‘getting promoted’ and arguably people’s social success is ‘being liked’, but hopefully these aims are partially or largely pursued through the more positive side of what they’re meant to do: help the country, help the company and being a good friend.