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What We Owe the Future

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What We Owe the Future

Written by: William MacAskill
Narrated by: William MacAskill
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About this listen

An 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 put humanity’s course to right, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will thrive, knowing we did everything we could to give them a world full of justice, hope, and beauty.

©2022 William MacAskill (P)2022 Recorded Books Ethics & Morality Future Studies Philosophy Social Sciences
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Fine balance between a difficult concept explained through the lens of real here and now things and historical anecdotes in- that will really bring you to appreciate how much decisions we make today have the power of influencing future generations thousands and millions of years from now.

Phenomenal theory that will make you more hopeful

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The author introduces us to long-termism and carefully guides us to the origins of this global movement with roots in many other schools of practical wisdom. A very focused and thought-provoking work that helps us to understand how we could take the necessary steps to create a better world for our progeny.

Deeply insightful and inspiring

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Loved listening to it. A great book to understand how life developed on this earth. Many ideas are thought-provoking.

Loved listening to it.

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While I absolutely believe in long termism and making sure we maintain a better world and resources for future generations to come, i could not agree to many supporting arguments made. Portraying the torture chickens face to promote vegetarianism, undervalue of plastic ban, exaggerated advantage of donations to organization are some of those. Middle chapters are too hard to continue reading, so i had to switch to audible.

Highly manipulated thoughts

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