William MacAskill

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Influential modern philosopher Dr William MacAskill makes the case for ‘longtermism’, the idea that positively influencing the future is a key moral priority of our time.

MacAskill says longtermism can unite all those who wish to secure a better future well beyond our immediate descendants at a time when it is easy to be overwhelmed by all the challenges facing our species. He argues that the values we leave to future humans must take account of the interests of all beings rather than entrench inequality or parochialism. And he says we need longtermist thinking in the face of challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence.

‘This is a book of great daring, clarity, insight and imagination. To be simultaneously so realistic and so optimistic, and always so damned readable . . . well that is a miracle for which he should be greatly applauded’ Stephen Fry

MacAskill is an associate professor in philosophy at the University of Oxford University and a research fellow at the Global Priorities Institute. He is co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism, 80,000 Hours and Giving What We Can, and has influenced leading figures and public thinkers including Bill Gates, Stephen Fry, Rutger Bregman, Liv Boeree and Sam Harris.