Uncertainties in Cause Areas 

To begin, read this succinct EA concepts post (3 min), which explains the ‘meat-eater problem’. In doing so, it articulates uncertain trade-offs between different cause areas.  

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Next, read ‘On ‘fringe’ ideas’ (5 min), an EA Handbook article that discusses individuals who investigate speculative topics. While acknowledging that some of these ideas may seem surprising, the post ultimately applauds research attempts in the face of uncertainty.  

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The final resource in this subsection is a short transcript of a speech (3 min), given by EA co-founder Will MacAskill. He elaborates on the idea of an unknown Cause X, and why identifying it is so important. 

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Uncertainties in Research & Methodology  

This Aeon article (10 min) explores the strengths and limitations of randomised control trials (RCTs), which are often used by EAs to determine the effectiveness of different interventions. In particular, the post summarises some of the most common objections to RCTs, and the extent to which said criticisms apply to research methods more generally. 

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This article (10 min) outlines how the charity evaluator GiveWell is shifting their approach. While their charity recommendations thus far have been based on robust, clear metrics and evidence (such as from RCT studies), GiveWell is also moving towards assessing other interventions that are harder to directly measure (such as influencing government policy).