In 'The Precipice', Toby Ord explores the existential risks threatening humanity's future, raising vital questions about our survival. He delves into potential catastrophes, from pandemics to artificial intelligence, that could unravel society as we know it. Ord emphasizes the importance of conscious decision-making and global cooperation to mitigate these looming dangers. With compelling arguments and a call to action, he inspires readers to engage in safeguarding our future. Will we rise to the challenge, or will we fall into the abyss?
By Toby Ord
Published: 2020
""In the vastness of time and space, our choices echo, shaping the future not just for ourselves, but for all that will follow.""
From one of the world's leading moral voices, this urgent and eye-opening book makes the case that protecting humanity's future is the central challenge of our time. If all goes well, human history is just beginning. Our species could survive for billions of years - enough time to end disease, poverty, and injustice, and to flourish in ways unimaginable today. But this vast future is at risk. With the advent of nuclear weapons, humanity entered a new age, where we face existential catastrophes - those from which we could never come back. Since then, these dangers have only multiplied, from climate change to engineered pathogens and artificial intelligence. If we do not act fast to reach a place of safety, it will soon be too late. Drawing on over a decade of research, The Precipice explores the cutting-edge science behind the risks we face. It puts them in the context of the greater story of humanity: showing how ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time. And it points the way forward, to the actions and strategies that can safeguard humanity. An Oxford philosopher committed to putting ideas into action, Toby Ord has advised the US National Intelligence Council, the UK Prime Minister's Office, and the World Bank on the biggest questions facing humanity. In The Precipice, he offers a startling reassessment of human history, the future we are failing to protect, and the steps we must take to ensure that our generation is not the last.
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“"In the vastness of time and space, our choices echo, shaping the future not just for ourselves, but for all that will follow."”
The Precipice
By Toby Ord
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Toby Ord is a renowned philosopher and author, best known for his influential works on ethics, global priorities, and the long-term future of humanity. He is the co-founder of 80,000 Hours, an organization dedicated to helping individuals make a high-impact career choice, and has contributed significantly to effective altruism. Ord's notable works include 'The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity,' where he explores the dangers facing civilization and the moral imperatives for mitigating these risks. His writing style is characterized by clarity and rigour, making complex philosophical ideas accessible to a broad audience.
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