William MacAskill

Will MacAskill, an associate professor at the University of Oxford and co-founder of Effective Altruism, dives into impactful topics. He explores existential risks and the importance of human cooperation in addressing societal challenges. The conversation touches on coping strategies for stress and low moods, as well as the ethical implications of AI advancements. MacAskill discusses navigating health choices and the philosophy of longtermism, encouraging listeners to become proactive agents of change for a better future.

Will MacAskill, an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Oxford and co-founder of Effective Altruism, discusses how to create a positive impact on future generations. He reveals the philosophy behind longtermism and why it's crucial to consider our moral obligations today. The conversation highlights the transformative power of effective altruism, the importance of strategic philanthropy, and the urgent existential risks we face, like climate change and nuclear threats. MacAskill also shares insights on career choices and the emotional rewards of altruistic giving.

William MacAskill, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford and co-founder of the Center for Effective Altruism, dives deep into the philosophy of effective altruism and longtermism. He discusses our ethical responsibilities to future generations and the existential risks we face. The conversation tackles the challenges of short-termism in politics, the complex relationship between doing good and feeling good, and the potential dangers of unaligned AI. MacAskill emphasizes the importance of thoughtful decision-making to safeguard the future of humanity.

In this discussion, William MacAskill, an Oxford philosophy professor and a key figure in the Effective Altruism movement, delves into the fallout from the FTX collapse and its ethical implications for the community. They explore the complexities of 'earning to give' and the motivations behind Sam Bankman-Fried's actions. MacAskill reflects on how this scandal impacts personal beliefs and highlights the need for resilience within the movement. The conversation also questions the balance between ambition and ethical integrity in philanthropy and corporate behavior.

Will MacAskill is an associate professor in philosophy at Oxford and a co-founder of several effective altruism nonprofits. He delves into the FTX scandal, dissecting its implications for the effective altruism movement. Topics include the psychological traits of Sam Bankman-Fried, the dangers of naive utilitarianism, and the need for improved governance in philanthropy. MacAskill also reflects on trust issues within the movement and the complexities of moral decision-making, advocating for a shift towards decentralization and ethical oversight, especially in light of rapid AI advancements.

Will MacAskill, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Oxford and a leader in effective altruism, dives into creating impactful change. He discusses his upcoming book, focusing on how to extend compassion globally and confront apathy. The conversation challenges the quest for posthumous fame, urging listeners to prioritize legacy through moral progress. MacAskill emphasizes the balance between altruism and career choices, the importance of fighting climate change, and our stewardship responsibilities for future generations.

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.

On this episode of The Knowledge Project, I’m happy to have William MacAskill. William is the co-founder and President of the Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA) and an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Oxford University. He is also the founder and president of 80,000 Hours, the co-founder and vice-president of Giving What We Can, and the author of Doing Good Better: Effective Altruism and a Radical New Way to Make a Difference. William’s work is primarily focused on encouraging people to use reason and evidence to find the best possible ways they can use their resources to make the biggest possible impact in the world. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, including: Why good intentions aren’t enough when giving to charity and how we can do better How William's giving philosophy was formed and how it developed into The Centre for Effective Altruism The best metrics to assess how good a charity is before donating a dime How letting our emotions guide our charitable giving can lead to ineffective, and sometimes harmful outcomes. How many charities today unknowingly reward low dollar donors and sell themselves short millions of dollars in potential donations A powerful thought exercise to help you gain a different but valuable perspective about helping the poor and suffering in the world The one cognitive bias William believes is the most damaging to any business, organization or individual William’s foundational values that guide his day to day decisions and actions William’s take on “radical honesty” and when honesty can be taken too far and is no longer constructive William’s definition of success and the imaginary conversation he has with himself on his deathbed to make sure he’s on the right track (this is awesome) The most common mistake William sees people make over and over (and the embarrassingly simple way to avoid making it) And then to wrap up, I gave him a softball question: What is the purpose and meaning of life? If you’ve wanted to make more of a positive impact in the world around you, this insightful interview will give you plenty to think about. Your resources are precious and should be optimized to improve the lives of those you help. I don’t know of a better person to guide you than William. *** Go Premium: Members get early access, ad-free episodes, hand-edited transcripts, searchable transcripts, member-only episodes, and more. Sign up at: https://fs.blog/membership/   Every Sunday our newsletter shares timeless insights and ideas that you can use at work and home. Add it to your inbox: https://fs.blog/newsletter/   Follow Shane on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ShaneAParrish   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William MacAskill, a Scottish philosopher and author of "What We Owe the Future," joins James W. Lenman, a Professor of Philosophy and ethical theory critic, to delves deep into effective altruism and longtermism. They discuss whether we should sacrifice present well-being for a better future and examine the ethical implications of prioritizing future generations over current crises. The conversation challenges traditional views on job satisfaction, emphasizing social impact and the complexities of moral responsibility towards both people and nature.

William MacAskill, a key advocate for effective altruism and philosopher, shares compelling insights into the movement's rise among younger generations. He challenges conventional charity approaches, revealing his favorite inefficient charity. The discussion dives into moral dilemmas, such as utilitarianism's implications for animal care and the ethics of procreation. MacAskill also reflects on societal progress and explores ideas for cultural innovation, including the possibility of starting a new university. His thoughts provoke deep questions about altruism, existence, and our responsibility to future generations.