In 'What We Owe the Future', philosopher William Macaskill challenges us to reconsider our obligations to future generations. He explores the profound impact of our choices today on lives yet to come, urging a radical shift in how we think about time and responsibility. With a focus on effective altruism, Macaskill presents compelling arguments for prioritizing long-term ethical decision-making. As he navigates complex moral landscapes, he inspires readers to envision a better world for those who will inherit it. This thought-provoking book invites you to reflect on your legacy and the ways you can contribute to a brighter future.
By William Macaskill
Published: 2022
"The most profound impact we can have on the world is not just in our immediate actions, but in how we choose to shape the future for generations yet to come."
An Oxford philosopher argues that solving today's problems might require putting future generations ahead of ourselves The human story is just beginning. There are five thousand years of written history, but perhaps millions more to come. In What We Owe the Future, philosopher William MacAskill develops a perspective he calls longtermism to argue that this fact is of enormous moral importance. While we are comfortable thinking about the equal moral worth of humans alive today, we haven't considered the moral weight of future generations. We have put them at grave risk, and not just with climate change. AI could lock humans into perpetual dystopia, or pandemics could end us. But the future could be wonderful: moral and technological progress could result in unimaginable human flourishing. The future is in our hands. As MacAskill shows, we can make the world better for billions of years to come. Perhaps even more importantly, he shows us just how much is at stake if we consign future generations to oblivion.
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“The most profound impact we can have on the world is not just in our immediate actions, but in how we choose to shape the future for generations yet to come.”
What We Owe the Future
By William Macaskill
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William Macaskill is a prominent philosopher, ethicist, and author, known for his work in effective altruism and moral philosophy. He is the co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism and has played a significant role in promoting evidence-based approaches to philanthropy and moral decision-making. Macaskill is the author of notable works including 'Doing Good Better,' which explores how individuals can maximize their impact on the world, and 'What We Owe the Future,' which discusses the ethical obligations we have to future generations. His writing is characterized by clarity, rigor, and a deep commitment to addressing complex moral issues, making him a key figure in contemporary discussions on altruism and ethics.
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