The 35-year-old Scottish philosopher William MacAskill, author of What We Owe the Future (2022), argues the next stage of the civil rights movement
is to protect the rights of “future people”, not just in the century to come, but those that will live millions of years in the future.
MacAskill is the public face of “longtermism”, which he describes as “the idea that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time” and one that requires we consider that people who have yet to be born “count for no less, morally, than the present generation”.
I have spent hours reading "What we owe to the Future" and I still don't get what the core of his ideas is. It is long winding and cherry-picking historical facts, with which he illustrates his ideas.
There are numerous sentences like "I think we must live with these paradoxes." or "I don’t think we can take the Long Peace for granted."
As a student, I already learned never to use "I think..... "in an essay, because it is too obvious that what you have written is what you think. Reading that the author is thinking, ok, so be it, but I constantly had the feeling, .ok...ok...but GET TO THE POINT.
And what is his point, a point that Silicon Valley billionaires seem to have adopted as their philosophy, the so-called longtermism.
At its heart, longtermism is rooted in the idea that the future holds immense potential value. Proponents argue that if humanity survives and flourishes, the number of future people could vastly exceed the current population.
For example, if humanity colonizes other planets or develops advanced technologies that extend lifespans, the total number of future lives could be in the trillions.
From this perspective, even small reductions in existential risks, such as nuclear war, pandemics, or artificial intelligence catastrophes, could have an enormous positive impact by safeguarding these potential lives.
This philosophical perspective emphasizes the moral importance of considering the long-term future of humanity and long-term means not just for the next generation, but also for thousands to come.
It posits that the well-being of future generations should be a central concern in our ethical decision-making and that we have a responsibility to ensure that humanity thrives far into the future.
Longtermism has profound implications for how we prioritize resources and efforts. It suggests that addressing existential risks and ensuring the long-term survival of humanity should be among our highest priorities.
This has led to increased interest in areas such as AI safety, biosecurity, and climate change mitigation.
Or like MacAskili writes: -QUOTE- ... the arguments for longtermism exerted a persistent force on my mind. These arguments were based on simple ideas:
that, impartially considered, future people should count for no less, morally, than the present generation; that there may be a huge number of future people;
that life, for them, could be extraordinarily good or inordinately bad; and that we really can make a difference to the world they inhabit. (...)
Despite how overwhelming thoughts of our future can be, if we truly care about the interests of future generations if we recognize that they are real people,
capable of happiness and suffering just like us, then we have a duty to consider how we might impact the world they inhabit.-END QUOTE-
Think this over... our moral duty to future generations and what this means for our actions today. I'll elaborate on it in the next lecture.
Thank you for your attention...the floor is yours...
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
28 - Why Am I Here 6 Sept 2024 / 1139
The Discussion
[13:24] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaah
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:24] Max Chatnoir: Thank you Herman.
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Wouldnt you say that perhaps that was exactly what the writers of the Bible and the Koran had in mind? as well as Buddha
[13:25] herman Bergson: So we have a morral obligation to future people and this philsopher has the solution...
[13:26] Valibrarian Gregg: ty for explaining longtermism, herman- It fits my purpose here as I am in SL only because I care about the next generation of learners. :) I don't see it (longtermism) so much as a philosophy as I do simply a concern about the future. That is common sense.
[13:26] herman Bergson: YEs Gemma, that is already the beginning.....
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): as well as many other writers? ... wouldnt it take a group of people from alll over the world and and various beliefs to sit down and plan it all out and agree
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): wow
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): The United Nations could not do it
[13:26] herman Bergson: Indeed VAl...there is a difference between long term thinking and longtermism
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aah
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess
[13:27] herman Bergson: That was one of my problems too with reading the book, Gemma...
[13:27] herman Bergson: All speculation....
[13:28] herman Bergson: and another thing....
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): all the philosophers we studied tried too I thihk
[13:28] herman Bergson: future people and the moral debat...
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well most
[13:28] Max Chatnoir: My concern is that in the present generation, there seems to be little interest at the top in conserving anybody who isn't a rich white male.
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:28] herman Bergson: I kepot htninking....oh, but this is actually the debate on the morality of abortion
[13:28] Valibrarian Gregg: https://whatweowethefuture.com/uk/ (You mentioned this book) "Sustainability" is a current buzz word right? I bump into it almost daily.
[13:29] Max Chatnoir: Yes, females are valued only as incubators for the next generation of RWMs
[13:29] herman Bergson: ah yes VAl, thta is all his documentation, MacAskill's
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Max
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): will have to think about that a while
[13:31] herman Bergson: But yet this is the storybehind Musk's planns to colonize Mars, for instance.
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ohoh
[13:31] herman Bergson: in 2019 he promised that this would be happening in 2025
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I dont think he has any idea of protecting any rights
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): on any planet
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): now he is too busy shutting down healtcare ect fro the sick/non rich
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): for
[13:32] herman Bergson: like in 2017 he promised that in that year a self driving car would travel from LA to NY
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): That is one thing that comes to my mind often when I thihk about men and women building on a new planet
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): what do they do for health care???
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): broken bones
[13:33] Max Chatnoir: AI?
[13:33] herman Bergson: The point is that the Tech people behave themselves as visionaires believing that technology will bring paradise
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): u need more then tech
[13:34] Max Chatnoir: If we get really good at biotech maybe we can eliminate the need for incubator females.
[13:34] herman Bergson: Yes, Max AGI, Artificial General Intelligen is the future...but it does not yet exist
[13:35] Max Chatnoir: I'm sorry. I'm being unusually negative. It just seems like every week there is another piece of dreadful news.
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): agree
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): every ten minutes lately
[13:35] herman Bergson: Well...I agree....but we have two options here
[13:36] herman Bergson: We can keep our mouth shut...or...face the facts
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:36] herman Bergson: What strikes me is that we are just ordinary inhabitants of several countries....and what is happening worries us
[13:37] Valibrarian Gregg: Ray Kurzweil (futurist at Google) now predicts AGI by 2029 but I don't know if I believe his ideas
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Thank you! goodness there are many who cannot keep their mouths shut
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): what happens now- war everywhere and insane and greedy maniacs ruiling US threatening not only USA but the entire world
[13:37] Valibrarian Gregg really likes your sign about "discussion requiring rules that include evidence"
[13:37] herman Bergson: To begin with VAl, it is not at all clear what AGI should be
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its scary indeed for sure
[13:38] herman Bergson: It should be something of a copy of the human brain in its fuctioning
[13:38] herman Bergson: but is that feasable?
[13:38] herman Bergson: What about emotions, homone driven feelings
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its quite advanced for sure to make something ike that
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): can it even be done?
[13:39] Valibrarian Gregg: agreed! I have heard AGI described as having "consciousness" but not sure I agree that is possible....would it not be "artificial consciousness" ?
[13:39] herman Bergson: THAT is the biggest nonsense ever....
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): have a hard time believing it
[13:39] Valibrarian Gregg: yes- AI bots now demonstrate empathy (but it is fake empathy)
[13:39] herman Bergson: time and again here in class we had to conclude that we have no idea what consciousness really is
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ye
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well we dont know yet because noone have done it
[13:40] Valibrarian Gregg: absolutely- consciousness cannot be defined nor can love- right?
[13:40] herman Bergson: We KNOW that there is a relation between the brain and consciousness
[13:40] herman Bergson: but that is all
[13:40] herman Bergson: What AI can is replicating cognitive procedures, like the brain processes data
[13:40] Max Chatnoir: The brain including all neural connections outside of the head....
[13:41] Max Chatnoir: I don't think it's just up there.
[13:41] herman Bergson: Yes Max...is consciousness the brain in the head or the whole Centtrla nervoussystem in the body?
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): wonders if science will ever sort that
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): if i say make love to a robot, even if it is programmed and feels real to me, is it really then feeling love for me or is it just code in the end
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): even if it feels like a real human
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): can machines feel?
[13:42] herman Bergson: Yes Gemma, I agree
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in any way
[13:42] Valibrarian Gregg: and (according to your rules of discussion) I cannot argue about having a "SOUL" without evidence... we cannot define the soul nor consciousness yet many of us feel we have both
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that has come up here for 18 years
[13:43] herman Bergson: Oh yes VAl, the soul is really a whole new chapter in this narrative
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and here we go again
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): lol
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well
[13:43] herman Bergson grins
[13:44] herman Bergson: My rule today
[13:44] herman Bergson: Si tacuisses philosphus manssises, Gemma :-))
[13:44] herman Bergson: If you had kept your mouth shut, you still would be a philosopher :-)
[13:45] herman Bergson: so...a no go here :-))
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok
[13:45] herman Bergson: I leave the soul to you :-)
[13:46] herman Bergson: By the way...the rule wasnt applying to you, Gemma but to me myself :-)
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:46] Valibrarian Gregg: yes I am sure some words like "soul" must be avoided! because they can never be defined nor proved with evidence- so I shall not use it again hehe
[13:47] herman Bergson smiles
[13:47] herman Bergson: a soulless class... :-(
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaw
[13:48] herman Bergson: But we are sidetracking....
[13:48] Valibrarian Gregg: nor shall I mention God nor love (though both are more important to me than longtermism) no evidence!
[13:48] herman Bergson: Time to get ready for the next lecture on Thusrday :-)
[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:49] Guestboook van tipjar stand: Gemma Cleanslate donated L$100. Thank you very much, it is much appreciated!
[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:49] Max Chatnoir: Ooh! I will probably miss that one. Tutoring is back from spring break.
[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ahha
[13:49] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ty Herman and class!
[13:49] herman Bergson: You have all rights to mention these matters, Val....First Amendement!
[13:49] Valibrarian Gregg: What days do you hold this class, herman?
[13:49] herman Bergson: Tuesday and Thursday
[13:49] Max Chatnoir: 1 PM SLT
[13:50] herman Bergson: right
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): if you miss it is on line
[13:50] Max Chatnoir: AND there is a blog!!
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the next dau or so
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): day
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): unless Herman goes to sleep
[13:50] herman Bergson: do you think they scan the blog Gemma?
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i bet
[13:50] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): they can
[13:50] Valibrarian Gregg: Is there a different topic for each class?
[13:51] herman Bergson: No...and yes...
[13:51] bergfrau Apfelbaum: https://thephilosophyclass.blogspot.com/
[13:51] Max Chatnoir: Thanks, Bergie!
[13:51] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yay
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:51] herman Bergson: The lectures are a project....
[13:52] herman Bergson: And the project is a series onf lectures on a specific theme
[13:52] herman Bergson: Current project is "Why am I Here?"
[13:52] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): my favorite was the Women Philosophers
[13:52] herman Bergson: about the meaning of life actually
[13:53] herman Bergson: Mine too, actually, Gemma
[13:53] herman Bergson: That was a special one....after 98 male philosophers
[13:53] Valibrarian Gregg: ty for the invitation!
[13:53] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): true
[13:54] herman Bergson: The project was really born of the idea....This can not be true!
[13:54] herman Bergson: And it wasnt!
[13:55] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): IN that room where they discuss the longtermism they had better have a bunch of women
[13:55] herman Bergson: And besides that, that second project caused me to think about a third and so on :-)
[13:55] Max Chatnoir: years and years of so on!
[13:56] herman Bergson: Next lecture we'll look at it with a critic's eye... :-)
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok ㋡
[13:56] herman Bergson: Yes Max, since 2007!
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): time to run to rl
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hope to be here thursday
[13:56] bergfrau Apfelbaum: and tomorrow Gemma :-)
[13:56] herman Bergson: Nice, Gemma...have a nice day :-)
[13:56] Max Chatnoir: I will hope to hear some of the discussion!
[13:56] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ohoh maybe
[13:56] bergfrau Apfelbaum: @ the golfcourse
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hugs Gemma
[13:56] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yay
[13:57] bergfrau Apfelbaum: see you Gemma
[13:57] Valibrarian Gregg: bye everyone! hope to see you again
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cu Val
[13:57] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): bye Val
[13:57] Max Chatnoir: See you all soon. And please do come back, Val!
[13:57] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:57] Lukkie Sands: This wasnt easy ....
[13:57] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): true Lukkie
[[13:58] Lukkie Sands: But there is so much happening at the moment....
No comments:
Post a Comment