What We Owe the Future
What We Owe the Future
William MacAskill
Elon Musk
Worth reading. This is a close match for my philosophy. - Elon Musk
Julia Galef
A fascinating, profound read. - Julia Galef
Stephen Fry
A book of great daring, clarity, insight and imagination. - Stephen Fry
A.J. Jacobs
So good and so important. - A.J. Jacobs
Sam Harris
Altogether thrilling and necessary. - Sam Harris
+
8
All books

What We Owe the Future

What We Owe the Future

William MacAskill
By
William MacAskill
3.8
665
ratings on Goodreads

In "What We Owe the Future," philosopher William MacAskill embarks on a profound exploration of longtermism, a guiding principle that places the well-being of future generations at the forefront of our ethical considerations. MacAskill compellingly argues that our current moral duties extend far beyond addressing the immediate crises of our age, such as climate change and pandemics. Instead, we are tasked with the monumental responsibility of ensuring the survival and flourishing of human civilization for millions of years to come. Through a blend of rigorous philosophical inquiry and accessible examples, MacAskill invites readers to contemplate the vast potential of humanity's future—and the critical choices we face today that could shape the fates of countless generations. Drawing from a rich tapestry of history, ethics, and speculative futures, MacAskill challenges us to consider scenarios where our descendants inherit a world that has either overcome today's existential threats or succumbed to them. "What We Owe the Future" is not just a call to action; it is a visionary blueprint for a world where moral progress continues to advance, where civilization rebounds from potential collapse, and where humanity learns to coexist with advanced digital intelligences. This book is an urgent reminder that the decisions we make now have the power to echo through millennia, offering a beacon of hope and a call to stewardship for a future filled with justice, hope, and beauty.

Read more
Released
2022
1 Jan
Length
335
Pages

8

recommendations

recommendation

A book of great daring, clarity, insight and imagination. - Stephen Fry
Both terrifying and uplifting. - Joseph Gordon-Levitt
A fascinating, profound read. - Julia Galef
Our guidebook to navigating this critical moment. - Liv Boeree
So good and so important. - A.J. Jacobs
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. - Ezra Klein
Altogether thrilling and necessary. - Sam Harris
Worth reading. This is a close match for my philosophy. - Elon Musk
Whether the future is wonderful or terrible is, in part, up to us.
— William MacAskill, What We Owe the Future

Similar recommendations

View all
Sapiens
Sapiens
Yuval Noah Harari
32
people
person
Thinking, Fast and Slow
19
people
person
How to Change Your Mind
15
people
person
The Better Angels of Our Nature
13
people
person
Endurance
Endurance
Alfred Lansing
12
people
person
The Art Of War
12
people
person
Outliers
Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell
11
people
person
Bird by Bird
Bird by Bird
Anne Lamott
10
people
person
Finite and Infinite Games
10
people
person
Between the World and Me
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates
10
people
person

This site is part of Amazon’s Associates Program. Purchasing books recommended by successful individuals through my links earns us a small commission, helping keep the site running, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site!