People I (Mostly) Admire 86. A Million-Year View on Morality
22 snips
Aug 20, 2022 
Join Will MacAskill, an Oxford philosopher and effective altruism pioneer, as he unpacks how our choices today impact future generations. He navigates the challenges of moral decision-making in a long-term context and explores the ethical dilemmas of wealth disparity and charitable giving. MacAskill also highlights the importance of personal sacrifice for the greater good and the existential threats we face. Through thought-provoking insights, he champions a philosophy that aims for maximizing global well-being across time.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Thought Experiment: Live or Die
- Will MacAskill would choose to live even if his death saved 100 strangers.
- He admits not being morally perfect but emphasizes impactful giving with small sacrifices.
Psychological Barriers to Altruism
- Psychological forces hinder caring deeply about others due to the sheer amount of suffering.
- Empathy is important, but channeling it productively is crucial to avoid emotional overload.
Longtermism
- Longtermism prioritizes positively influencing the long-term future (centuries, millennia).
- Future people matter morally just like those currently alive.
