Intelligence Squared How to Improve the World for the Generations to Come, with Will MacAskill
Sep 5, 2022
Will MacAskill, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Oxford and co-founder of the effective altruism movement, dives deep into the importance of long-term thinking for future generations. He talks about pressing issues like climate change and AI, stressing our moral responsibility to act wisely today. The discussion highlights the balance between immediate needs and long-term goals, empowering individuals to make a difference through effective altruism. MacAskill also addresses misconceptions surrounding the movement and celebrates its growing global appeal.
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Longtermism Defined
- Longtermism emphasizes protecting future generations' interests far more than we currently do.
- It prioritizes the potential vastness of future lives and our ability to improve them.
Timescale of Longtermism
- Longtermism considers future people's interests regardless of when they live.
- MacAskill believes current actions can impact not just near-future generations, but potentially all future generations.
Longtermism vs. Sustainability
- Longtermism differs from sustainability by applying consistent moral reasoning.
- MacAskill argues moral considerations shouldn't change based on someone's time period.
