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2 editions on Cue Bookstore

William MacAskill

William MacAskill, a philosopher and co-founder of the effective altruism movement, brings a rigorous, evidence-based approach to the question of how individuals can most effectively improve the world.

2
editions on Cue Bookstore
Readings on Cue Bookstore

Readings listed below

Cover of What We Owe the Future
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What We Owe the Future

In an era dominated by immediate concerns, William MacAskill's 'What We Owe the Future' challenges us to expand our moral horizon to encompass millennia. This episode delves into the profound philosophy of longtermism, arguing that positively influencing the distant future is our most critical moral priority. We explore the staggering implications of the 'unseen billions' – the countless lives yet to exist – and our unique position in a 'pivotal present' where our choices hold unprecedented leverage over humanity's trajectory. We confront the nature of existential risks, from unmanaged AI to engineered pandemics, and why safeguarding against them is not merely prudent, but a fundamental moral imperative. Ultimately, we consider what it means to be a 'good ancestor,' and how embracing this expansive view of time can imbue our present actions with deep meaning and purpose, shaping a flourishing future for all.

22 minOpen edition
Cover of Doing Good Better
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Doing Good Better

We often feel a pull to help, to ease suffering where we see it most directly – a local cause, a visible need. This immediate, emotional response is deeply human, yet it can sometimes lead us to overlook where our efforts might truly make the greatest difference. We donate, volunteer, or choose careers with the best intentions, but rarely pause to ask: is this the *most* effective way to do good? This book challenges the comforting assumption that all good deeds are equally impactful. It asks us to consider the unseen ripple effects, the counterfactuals, and the surprising places where a small input can yield an enormous, life-altering output. It's about shifting from simply 'doing good' to rigorously 'doing good better,' by applying reason to our compassion, and making our desire to help truly count.

20 minOpen edition
Biography

William MacAskill, a philosopher and co-founder of the effective altruism movement, brings a rigorous, evidence-based approach to the question of how individuals can most effectively improve the world.