If my action has a zero or infinitesimal positive impact on the relevant problem, while a negative and non-infinitesimal impact on me, cost-benefit analysis concludes I should not do it. I think OP needs to do more work to justify why they think this is not so.
You seem to think that an altruist action that harms me but benefits the whole planet should have at least a certain amount X of positive impact on the planet… otherwise it’s not worth certain sacrifices. And to that, I say: Fair enough!
To give an absurd example: Giving up civilized life, and starting to live in the middle of the forest without any technology would be a silly, disproportionate, ineffective sacrifice to do in order to help Climate Change. It’s a nonsensical plan. And I agree with you.
I think what I’m trying to figure out is… how can we maximize benefit to the planet?
Can we aim at a certain ratio of personal sacrifice / benefit to the planet?
Can we even measure the benefit? Does it make sense to take it into account?
Perhaps we should just make the maximum amount of sacrifice we’d willing to do, try to inspire others to to the same, and hope for the best?
If my action has a zero or infinitesimal positive impact on the relevant problem, while a negative and non-infinitesimal impact on me, cost-benefit analysis concludes I should not do it. I think OP needs to do more work to justify why they think this is not so.
I didn’t claim that is not the case.
You seem to think that an altruist action that harms me but benefits the whole planet should have at least a certain amount X of positive impact on the planet… otherwise it’s not worth certain sacrifices. And to that, I say: Fair enough!
To give an absurd example: Giving up civilized life, and starting to live in the middle of the forest without any technology would be a silly, disproportionate, ineffective sacrifice to do in order to help Climate Change. It’s a nonsensical plan. And I agree with you.
I think what I’m trying to figure out is… how can we maximize benefit to the planet?
Can we aim at a certain ratio of personal sacrifice / benefit to the planet?
Can we even measure the benefit? Does it make sense to take it into account?
Perhaps we should just make the maximum amount of sacrifice we’d willing to do, try to inspire others to to the same, and hope for the best?
What do you think?