How to express improvements in animal welfare in DALYs-averted
Bob Fischer
Senior Research Manager
bob@rethinkpriorities.org
The Problem
π§βπ¦° = π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯π₯π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯?
π§βπ¦° = π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦π₯?
Two philosophical assumptions
Hedonism
Welfare = total π β total π
Unitarianism
n units of π§βπ¦° welfare = n units of π₯ welfare
If welfare is like water, how big is each animalβs bucket?
πͺ£ πͺ£ πͺ£ πͺ£ πͺ£
Capacity for welfare = welfare ranges x lifespan
DALY = YLD + YLL
Using DALYs-averted to define the human welfare range
The best human welfare state = the average welfare level of the average human-in-full-health
The usefulness of welfare ranges
Estimating differences in welfare ranges