I think most po would agree that people on the future matter. He question is how much? And you're arguing, i think, that we don't take account enough of the future. So a sacrifice on our part that e leads to a benefit in the future should be morally demanded of us. Because so many more people will benefit than are harmed to dayh,. You're very much utilitarian, i Think, in this book. I also think you're completely right, am that i think the numbers really matter. If i can, you know, save one life or save ten lives, it's more modally important to save the ten. The standard utilitarian answer is that ixmor
Philosopher William MacAskill of the University of Oxford and a founder of the effective altruism movement talks about his book What We Owe the Future with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. MacAskill advocates "longtermism," giving great attention to the billions of people who will live on into the future long after we are gone. Topics discussed include the importance of moral entrepreneurs, why it's moral to have children, and the importance of trying to steer the future for better outcomes.