First published 2022
William MacAskill presents longtermism as the defining moral challenge of our era. The Oxford philosopher contends that our actions today will determine whether millions of future generations experience flourishing or suffering. MacAskill argues that current global priorities miss the bigger picture. Reversing climate change and preventing pandemics, while important, represent only the beginning of our obligations. He outlines how we must build civilizations capable of recovering from collapse, maintain moral advancement across centuries, and prepare for worlds where artificial intelligence surpasses human capabilities. The book examines how present decisions ripple across vast timescales, affecting countless people not yet born. MacAskill provides readers with a framework for thinking beyond immediate concerns to consider humanity's entire trajectory, offering practical guidance for those who want their choices to create lasting positive change.
Genres: philosophy, non-fiction, artificial-intelligence, climate-change, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: practical-guidance, thought-provoking
Setting: Oxford
335 pages · Hardcover · Basic Books