num_pages: 335
description: 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. Humanitys 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 its 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 make wise choices today our grandchildrens grandchildren will thrive knowing we did everything we could to give them a world full of justice hope and beauty.
language: English
title: What We Owe the Future
publisher: Basic Books