Philosophy
“This book will change your sense of how grand the sweep of human history
could be, where you fit into it, and how much you could do to change it for
the better. It’s as simple, and as ambitious, as that.”—Ezra KleinAn Oxford
philosopher makes the case for “longtermism” — that positively influencing
the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time. The fate of the
world is in our hands. Humanity’s written history spans only five thousand
years. Our yet-unwritten future could last for millions more — or it could
end tomorrow. Astonishing numbers of people could lead lives of great
happiness or unimaginable suffering, or never live at all, depending on
what we choose to do today. In What We Owe The Future, philosopher
William MacAskill argues for longtermism, that idea that positively
influencing the distant future is a key moral priority of our time. From
this perspective, it’s not enough to reverse climate change or avert the
next pandemic. We must ensure that civilization would rebound if it
collapsed; counter the end of moral progress; and prepare for a planet
where the smartest beings are digital, not human. If we make wise choices
today, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will thrive, knowing we did
everything we could to give them a world full of justice, hope and beauty. Read more

 

Genre Politics & Social Sciences