80,000 Hours Podcast cover image

80,000 Hours Podcast

#145 – Christopher Brown on why slavery abolition wasn't inevitable

Feb 11, 2023
Christopher Brown, a Columbia University history professor and author of "Moral Capital," challenges the belief that the abolition of slavery was inevitable. He discusses how various economic influences shaped attitudes towards slavery and draws parallels to modern struggles against fossil fuel dependence. Brown also highlights the role of the Quakers in the anti-slavery movement, emphasizing the complexities of faith in moral debates. Through historical insights, he argues for a nuanced understanding of moral progress and the roles individuals played in societal transformations.
02:42:24

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The success of the abolitionist movement was not inevitable and required dedicated individuals and persistent efforts.
  • The use of natural rights discourse and political opportunism played a crucial role in the growth of the anti-slavery movement.

Deep dives

Quakers and the Internal Witness Against Slavery

Quakers, notably the Society of Friends, were the first community to question the moral basis of slaveholding within their own ranks. Dissenters within the Society of Friends challenged the violence, wealth, and control of slavery, arguing that it contradicted their pacifist, simplicity, and humility values. These dissenting voices gained traction within the Quaker community and established a collective identity centered around the objection to slaveholding. This internal witness led to the expulsion of slaveholders from the Society and the establishment of anti-slavery principles as a defining characteristic of being a Quaker.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode