The Next Big Idea The Case for Effective Altruism
Aug 8, 2024
Will MacAskill, an Oxford philosophy professor and a key voice in the effective altruism movement, delves into its aims to maximize global welfare. He addresses the backlash against the movement due to Sam Bankman-Fried's involvement, advocating for a reevaluation of its principles. The discussion explores critical topics like ethical obligations towards altruism, the risks of modern technology, and the necessity of long-term thinking in the face of existential threats like AI. MacAskill encourages listeners to rethink their choices for a brighter future.
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Will's Reckless Youth
- Will MacAskill's younger years were described as adventurous, involving excessive beer drinking and nude roof climbing.
- One such climb resulted in a fall through a skylight, a near-fatal accident.
Skylight Fall Analogy
- Will MacAskill fell through a skylight and saw his own gut membrane, narrowly avoiding death.
- He uses this as an analogy for humanity's recklessness, like a teenager risking their entire future.
Singer's Drowning Child
- Peter Singer's essay presents a thought experiment: would you ruin a suit to save a drowning child?
- It compares this to buying luxuries versus donating to save lives, arguing the latter is morally required.