Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg Estimating the long-term impact of our actions today (with Will MacAskill)
Sep 7, 2022
Join Will MacAskill, a philosophy professor at the University of Oxford and co-founder of effective altruism initiatives, as he explores the ethical framework of long-termism. He discusses how today's actions may shape the future of humanity, weighing the importance of resource allocation and the risks of extinction. MacAskill addresses the perplexities of decision-making in altruism, highlighting the balance between short-term efforts and long-term impact. He delves into navigating uncertainty, advocating for a culture that embraces exploration while targeting meaningful global change.
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Longtermism Defined
- Longtermism emphasizes the vast scale and moral importance of the future.
- It considers events with long-term impacts on future generations.
Strong vs. Weak Longtermism
- Will MacAskill distinguishes between longtermism and strong longtermism.
- He defends the weaker form, which prioritizes positive long-term impact as one key goal.
The Case for Strong Longtermism
- Strong longtermism prioritizes the long-term future due to the vast number of future people.
- Future generations have moral worth, and their sheer number amplifies the importance of long-term impacts.
