Nick Beckstead

Nick Beckstead, a Program Officer at the Open Philanthropy Project with a Ph.D. in Philosophy, dives deep into utilitarianism's nuances. He explores its various interpretations and contrasts act with rule consequentialism. The discussion also highlights the ethical dilemmas of quantifying well-being and the impact of decisions on future generations. Beckstead emphasizes the power of intuitive thinking over strict calculations in moral choices, and critiques the limitations of total utilitarianism, especially regarding infinite populations.