Longtermism

Longtermism is the ethical view that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time.^[1] It is an important concept in effective altruism and a primary motivation for efforts that aim to reduce existential risks to humanity.^[1]

The key argument for longtermism has been summarized as follows: "future people matter morally just as much as people alive today; ... there may well be more people alive in the future than there are in the present or have been in the past; and ... we can positively affect future peoples' lives."^[2] These three ideas taken together suggest, to those advocating longtermism, that it is the responsibility of those living now to ensure that future generations get to survive and flourish.^[3]

^ ^a ^b Moorhouse, Fin (2021-01-27). "Introduction to Longtermism". Effective Altruism. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
^ Samuel, Sigal (2021-11-03). "Would you donate to a charity that won't pay out for centuries?". Vox. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
^ Greaves, Hilary; MacAskill, William (2021). "The case for strong longtermism". Global Priorities Institute Working Paper. 5. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022.

[Moorhouse-1] Moorhouse, Fin (2021-01-27). "Introduction to Longtermism". Effective Altruism. Retrieved 2023-06-02.

[2] Samuel, Sigal (2021-11-03). "Would you donate to a charity that won't pay out for centuries?". Vox. Retrieved 2021-11-13.

[:4-3] Greaves, Hilary; MacAskill, William (2021). "The case for strong longtermism". Global Priorities Institute Working Paper. 5. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022.

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