Making Sense with Sam Harris #208 — Existential Risk
Jun 23, 2020
Toby Ord, a philosopher at Oxford University focused on existential risks and effective altruism, dives deep into the future of humanity. He explores the moral biases shaping our views on distance and time, highlighting the psychology behind effective altruism. The conversation navigates the complexities of distinguishing natural threats from human-made ones, addressing dangers like nuclear war and pandemics. Ord reflects on the morality of altruism, balancing emotion with logic, and the essential responsibility we hold for future generations.
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Moral Intuition and Distance
- Effective altruism and existential risk are related by the fact that both address human well-being and survival.
- They also similarly exploit our flawed moral intuitions regarding distance in space and time.
Drowning Child Analogy
- Peter Singer's drowning child analogy questions the role of distance in our moral obligations.
- He argues that physical distance shouldn't diminish our duty to help those in need.
Effective Giving
- Where you give can be more impactful than simply giving.
- Some interventions are thousands of times more effective than others, highlighting the importance of effective altruism.
