Moral Philosopher Will MacAskill on What We Owe The Future

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Aug 11, 2022

Will MacAskill, an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Oxford and co-founder of Effective Altruism, discusses how to create a positive impact on future generations. He reveals the philosophy behind longtermism and why it's crucial to consider our moral obligations today. The conversation highlights the transformative power of effective altruism, the importance of strategic philanthropy, and the urgent existential risks we face, like climate change and nuclear threats. MacAskill also shares insights on career choices and the emotional rewards of altruistic giving.

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ANECDOTE

Giving What We Can Founding

Will MacAskill was inspired by Toby Ord's pledge to donate all earnings above £20,000.
This led him to co-found Giving What We Can and shift his focus to effective altruism.

INSIGHT

The Work of a Philosopher

Philosophers explore fundamental questions through reasoning and argumentation, similar to mathematicians with proofs.
They analyze existing arguments, develop new ones, and contribute to ongoing intellectual discourse.

INSIGHT

Happiness and Giving

Donating a significant portion of income may have a smaller impact on well-being than expected.
Giving provides a sense of meaning, community, and a "warm glow" that can offset financial sacrifices.

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Animal liberation

Peter Singer

First published in 1975, 'Animal Liberation' by Peter Singer has been a pivotal book in the animal rights movement. It introduces the concept of 'speciesism,' the systematic neglect and exploitation of nonhuman animals. Singer argues that the interests of all beings capable of suffering should be given equal consideration, regardless of their species. The book critiques factory farming and animal experimentation, presenting alternatives and advocating for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. The revised edition, 'Animal Liberation Now,' updates the arguments to reflect current issues, including environmental impacts and the spread of viruses from factory farms[1][3][5].

The life you can save

How to Play Your Part in Ending World Poverty

Peter Singer

Peter Singer's "The Life You Can Save" is a compelling argument for effective altruism, urging readers to donate to charities that demonstrably alleviate suffering. Singer challenges conventional thinking about philanthropy, emphasizing the moral obligation to maximize the positive impact of our donations. The book presents a practical framework for identifying and supporting high-impact charities, focusing on cost-effectiveness and measurable results. Singer's work has sparked significant debate and inspired many to re-evaluate their charitable giving. The book's core message is that even small contributions can make a substantial difference in the lives of others.

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What We Owe the Future

William MacAskill

In this book, William MacAskill advocates for longtermism, the idea that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority. He argues that future people count, there could be many of them, and we can make their lives better. MacAskill discusses various threats to humanity, including climate change, AI misalignment, and pandemics, and proposes strategies to ensure civilization's survival and improve its trajectory. The book explores moral and philosophical issues surrounding longtermism, including the risks of human extinction, civilizational collapse, and technological stagnation, while offering a measured optimism about the future's potential for human flourishing[1][5][4].

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Austin Kleon

This book, which began as a speech given by Austin Kleon to college students, expands into a manifesto for creativity. It outlines ten transformative principles such as 'Steal like an artist' (honoring, studying, and transforming ideas), 'Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things,' and 'Use your hands' (emphasizing physical work). Kleon argues that creativity is not original but builds on what came before, and he provides practical tips and inspiring concepts for artists, writers, musicians, and anyone generating creative work[2][3][4].

The Precipice

Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity

Toby Ord

In this book, Toby Ord argues that humanity is in a uniquely dangerous period, which he terms 'the Precipice,' beginning with the first atomic bomb test in 1945. Ord examines various existential risks, including natural and anthropogenic threats, and estimates that there is a one in six chance of humanity suffering an existential catastrophe within the next 100 years. He advocates for a major reorientation in how we see the world and our role in it, emphasizing the need for collective action to minimize these risks and ensure a safe future for humanity. The book integrates insights from multiple disciplines, including physics, biology, earth science, computer science, history, anthropology, statistics, international relations, and moral philosophy[1][3][5].

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Dan Heath

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Brian Tracy

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Ray Dalio

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How can we do the most good with our careers, money and lives? And what are the things that we can do right now, to positively impact future generations to come? This is the mission of the Effective Altruism (EA) movement co-founded by Will McAskill, Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Oxford and co-founder of nonprofits Giving What We Can, the Centre for Effective Altruism, and Y Combinator-backed 80,000 Hour. In the conversation, me and Will talk about the fundamentals of EA, his brand new book 'What We Owe The Future', the idea of 'longtermism', the most pressing existential threats humanity is facing and what we can do about them, why giving away your income will make you happier, why your career choice is the biggest choice you’ll make in your life and much more.

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Find the show notes and the transcript on the website: https://aliabdaal.com/podcast/