Longtermism

Longtermism is the ethical view that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time. It is an important concept in effective altruism and a primary motivation for efforts that aim to reduce existential risks to humanity.^[2]^[3]

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."^[4]^[5] 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.^[5]

^ Roser, Max (2024-03-18). "The future is vast – what does this mean for our own life?". Our World in Data.
^ Steele, Katie (2022-12-19). "Longtermism – why the million-year philosophy can't be ignored". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Samuel, Sigal (2021-11-03). "Would you donate to a charity that won't pay out for centuries?". Vox. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
^ ^a ^b Setiya, Kieran (August 15, 2022). "The New Moral Mathematics". Boston Review.

[1] Roser, Max (2024-03-18). "The future is vast – what does this mean for our own life?". Our World in Data.

[:10-2] Steele, Katie (2022-12-19). "Longtermism – why the million-year philosophy can't be ignored". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-07-22.

[:9-3] Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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

[:11-5] Setiya, Kieran (August 15, 2022). "The New Moral Mathematics". Boston Review.

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