William MacAskill is an associate professor in philosophy and senior research fellow at the Global Priorities Institute, University of Oxford. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest associate professor of philosophy in the world. He has focused his research on moral uncertainty, effective altruism, and future generations. He also cofounded the nonprofits Giving What We Can, the Centre for Effective Altruism, and Y Combinator-backed 80,000 Hours, which together have moved over $300 million to effective charities. He is the author of Doing Good Better and lives in Oxford, England.
"In focusing on the interests of future generations stretching into
an indefinitely long future, MacAskill has thrust an important and
neglected argument into the spotlight, while making it vivid and
fun to read. He hopes this book will change the world, and it
might."--Financial Times (UK)
"What We Owe the Future is an intellectually thrilling exploration
of moral philosophy and human history in the hands of a very
skilled thinker and clear writer... Thought
provoking."--Charter
"Unapologetically optimistic and bracingly realistic, this is the
most inspiring book on 'ethical living' I've ever read."--The
Guardian (UK)
"What We Owe the Future is an instructive, intelligent book. It has
a lot to teach us about history and the future, about neglected
risks and moral myopia."--Boston Review
"I expected William MacAskill to write a forceful and persuasive
argument for caring more about future people and this book did not
disappoint. But it's so much more--What We Owe The Future is an
engaged and deeply original exploration of questions ranging from
the contingency of moral progress, to the perils of AI, to the very
nature of a happy and fulfilled life. It's an important,
stimulating, and delightful book."--Paul Bloom
"Touchingly optimistic... With something to ponder on every page, a
bracing exhortation to do right by the people of centuries to
come."--Kirkus
"An exciting new book."--Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution
"MacAskill delivers a sweeping analysis of contemporary dangers
that masterfully probes the intersections of technology, science,
and politics, while offering fascinating glimpses into humanity's
possible futures. This urgent call to action will inspire and
unnerve in equal measure."--Publishers Weekly
"To assess what really matters it always helps to zoom out, and
Will MacAskill is probably the world's best zoom-outer. What We Owe
The Future brilliantly shows us the biggest picture of all and
persuasively reminds us of the vast impact we can all have." --Tim
Urban, co-founder of Wait but Why
"What We Owe The Future makes the case for thinking seriously about
the very long term. It gives a profoundly new perspective on human
civilization and our place in it."
--Lydia Cacho, journalist and author of The Demons of Eden
"An extraordinary book. I've never read something so deep and
fundamental, and so accessible at the same time . . . The
publication of this book is a monumental event. William MacAskill
is one of the most important philosophers alive today, and this is
his magnum opus."--Rutger Bregman, Dutch historian and author of
Utopia for Realists
"An optimistic look at the future that moved me to tears."
--Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actor
"Many books promise a new 'big idea', but few deliver one as
brilliant as MacAskill's in What We Owe The Future. A fascinating,
profound read."
--Julia Galef, author of The Scout Mindset
"No living philosopher has had a greater impact upon my ethics than
Will MacAskill. In What We Owe The Future, MacAskillhas transformed
my thinking once again, by patiently dismantling the lazy
intuitions that rendered me morally blind to the interests of
future generations. This is an altogether thrilling and necessary
book."
--Sam Harris, five-time New York Times bestselling author and host
of the Making Sense podcast
"There are moments when we can change outcomes easily, but if we
don't bend those curves right then, we can lock in enormous
long-term damage. This fascinating book makes us think relentlessly
and usefully about such pivot points; few prods could be more
important."
--Bill McKibben, environmentalist and author of The End of
Nature
"This mind-bending, eon-hurtling, visionary, masterful book raises
questions that are among the most crucial we face as a species.
MacAskill makes a moral case for the future that is urgent, clear,
and utterly convincing."
--Larissa MacFarquhar, staff writer for The New Yorker and author
of Strangers Drowning
"This book 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. It's as simple, and as ambitious, as
that."--Ezra Klein, host of The Ezra Klein Show podcast
"This is a book of great daring, clarity, insight and imagination.
To be simultaneously so realistic and so optimistic, and always so
damned readable ... that is a miracle for which MacAskill should be
greatly applauded."
--Stephen Fry, actor
"Warning: This book may radically upgrade your ethics and expand
your compassion. What We Owe The Future is an inspiring roadmap to
how we can try to improve the lives of the billions and trillions
sentient beings yet to come. It's perhaps our greatest moral duty.
So please do yourself - and your grandchildren's grandchildren's
grandchildren - a favor and read this book."
--AJ Jacobs, editor at large of Esquire Magazine
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