What We Owe the Future

By: William MacAskill

Narrated by: William MacAskill

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Interesting and mind broadening

Loved history context analysis and use of those examples to set basis for evaluating present pronciples to act towards better future.

Amazing book

I loved that this book addresses important things for the present, near-future, and the far, far future as well. Also helped me shape how I talk about the future especially in resguarda of examining population quality of life, and even being able to measure my own quality of life. Highly recommend for Futurists of any kind.

Thinking in *future tense*

Will McGaskill is not afraid of offending you to your core. He is so far ahead of our self centered ‘me me me’ moment that the topics about which he will offend you will be way outside your comfort zone. As in, they won’t be things you have ever been offended about before. All the noise from the news will quiet, and what truly matters will come into focus. Trust me, it’s not a pleasant picture.

Sometimes I think about my ancestors and all the struggles they overcame. Traveling by boat to America, starving in the famines. Great great grandmas having 12 kids (changing diapers for 25 YEARS). Great great great grandpas toiling in factories and courting ladies. Someone probably had a limb sawed off and kept living. Someone probably died giving birth.

I am thankful to these people. Even when life is hard these days, it’s still good to be alive. If you are thankful to those people you should at least contemplate what your descendants will think about you.

I found his accent slightly hard to understand, but the book is good.

A vital book

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to do actual good. A pursuasive, informative and inspiring book.

Life-Defining Book

Read this book. It’s ideas are powerful and practical. It just may change the course of your life.

interesting book with one gaping fallacy.

I believe that we as a species are over populated, way past earth's carrying capacity. So until we begin terraforming mars or otherwise sending significant numbers into space, the admonition to have lots of children is very dangerous .

good

words words words words words words
words words words words I am a man of May.

Entertaining but nonetheless disappointing

It’s a passionate affirmation for caring about the future and I agree with his conclusions. However, too many assumptions and pre-conceptions weaken the philosophical arguments leaving us with instead an emotional testimony. Even so, there are several fascinating thought experiments.

Round of applause

A remarkable presentation of research resulting in a deeply thought provoking piece of work. This is my first introduction to MacAskill’s, work but I’m certain it won’t be the last. However painful it was to listen to at times, the overall picture he paints is inspiring and truly begs the question “what good am I capable of offering the world in my lifetime?”

Incitful read

A must read for anyone interested in the future of the human race, and how we as a race can survive 1000's of years from now.

Longtermism is a very interesting study, and has taught me what and how to change now at a personal individual level to do my part to best allow the long term survival of the human race.