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What are the most pressing world problems? Frequently asked questions
---
client: 80000_hours
project_id: articles
narrator: pw
qa: km
narrator_time: 3h15m
qa_time: 0h30m
---
Question 1: What are these lists based on?
Our aim is to find the problems where an additional person can have the greatest positive social impact, given how effort is already allocated in society.
The primary way we do that is by trying to compare global issues based on their scale, neglectedness, and tractability. To learn about this framework, see our introductory article on prioritising world problems.
To assess the problems based on this framework, we mainly draw upon research and advice from subject-matter experts and advisors in the effective altruism research community — including the Global Priorities Institute, Rethink Priorities, and Open Philanthropy — though we also make some of our own judgement calls in borderline cases.
To see the reasons why we listed each individual problem, click through to see the full profiles.
Assessments of the scale and tractability of different global issues depend on your values and worldview. You can see some of the most important aspects of our worldview in the ‘foundations’ section of our key ideas series, especially our article on how we define social impact.
All this has led to a few themes in the issues we tend to prioritise most highly:
Original article:
https://80000hours.org/problem-profiles/#problems-faq
Narrated for 80,000 Hours by TYPE III AUDIO.
Share feedback on this narration.
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By TYPE III AUDIO---
client: 80000_hours
project_id: articles
narrator: pw
qa: km
narrator_time: 3h15m
qa_time: 0h30m
---
Question 1: What are these lists based on?
Our aim is to find the problems where an additional person can have the greatest positive social impact, given how effort is already allocated in society.
The primary way we do that is by trying to compare global issues based on their scale, neglectedness, and tractability. To learn about this framework, see our introductory article on prioritising world problems.
To assess the problems based on this framework, we mainly draw upon research and advice from subject-matter experts and advisors in the effective altruism research community — including the Global Priorities Institute, Rethink Priorities, and Open Philanthropy — though we also make some of our own judgement calls in borderline cases.
To see the reasons why we listed each individual problem, click through to see the full profiles.
Assessments of the scale and tractability of different global issues depend on your values and worldview. You can see some of the most important aspects of our worldview in the ‘foundations’ section of our key ideas series, especially our article on how we define social impact.
All this has led to a few themes in the issues we tend to prioritise most highly:
Original article:
https://80000hours.org/problem-profiles/#problems-faq
Narrated for 80,000 Hours by TYPE III AUDIO.
Share feedback on this narration.