Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal Moral Philosopher Will MacAskill on What We Owe The Future
Will MacAskill, an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Oxford and co-founder of Effective Altruism, discusses how to create a positive impact on future generations. He reveals the philosophy behind longtermism and why it's crucial to consider our moral obligations today. The conversation highlights the transformative power of effective altruism, the importance of strategic philanthropy, and the urgent existential risks we face, like climate change and nuclear threats. MacAskill also shares insights on career choices and the emotional rewards of altruistic giving.
02:52:44
Motivation for Giving
- Will MacAskill used gruesome images of neglected diseases to motivate his giving.
- While rationality guides his direction, emotions fuel his commitment to effective altruism.
Committing to Giving
- Make a conscious, informed decision about your giving level and commit to it publicly.
- This reduces stress related to money and reinforces your commitment.
Career Choice and Impact
- Your career choice is likely the biggest decision in your life, impacting 80,000 work hours.
- Consider its social impact by aligning your skills with global needs.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
From Philosophy to Activism: The Altruistic Journey
02:24 • 22min
Understanding Effective Altruism and Marginal Impact
23:58 • 4min
Reassessing Priorities in Philanthropy and Impact
28:24 • 1min
Navigating Personal Impact for the Greater Good
29:52 • 25min
The Impact of Altruistic Investment and Outreach Strategies
55:21 • 3min
The Power of Effective Altruism
58:36 • 8min
Exploring Emotional Engagement with Global Issues
01:06:50 • 2min
Navigating the World of Philosophy: Engaging Podcasts for Newcomers
01:08:46 • 2min
Exploring Long-Termism: Our Duties to Future Generations
01:10:25 • 5min
Moral Responsibility Towards Future Generations
01:15:22 • 11min
Preventing Future Threats: Pandemic and Nuclear Risks
01:26:05 • 19min
Navigating Existential Risks and Moral Complexity
01:45:26 • 17min
Navigating Altruistic Choices
02:02:47 • 4min
Navigating Global Risks and the Creative Process
02:07:04 • 17min
Energizing Productivity and Overcoming Procrastination
02:24:01 • 21min
Balancing Cash: Investing vs. Giving
02:45:26 • 7min
#665
• Mentioned in 50 episodes
Animal liberation
Peter Singer
First published in 1975, 'Animal Liberation' by Peter Singer has been a pivotal book in the animal rights movement.
It introduces the concept of 'speciesism,' the systematic neglect and exploitation of nonhuman animals.
Singer argues that the interests of all beings capable of suffering should be given equal consideration, regardless of their species.
The book critiques factory farming and animal experimentation, presenting alternatives and advocating for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
The revised edition, 'Animal Liberation Now,' updates the arguments to reflect current issues, including environmental impacts and the spread of viruses from factory farms.
#2057
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The life you can save
How to Play Your Part in Ending World Poverty
Peter Singer
Peter Singer's "The Life You Can Save" is a compelling argument for effective altruism, urging readers to donate to charities that demonstrably alleviate suffering.
Singer challenges conventional thinking about philanthropy, emphasizing the moral obligation to maximize the positive impact of our donations.
The book presents a practical framework for identifying and supporting high-impact charities, focusing on cost-effectiveness and measurable results.
Singer's work has sparked significant debate and inspired many to re-evaluate their charitable giving.
The book's core message is that even small contributions can make a substantial difference in the lives of others.
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Feel-Good Productivity
How to Do More of What Matters to You
Ali Abdaal
In 'Feel-Good Productivity,' Dr. Ali Abdaal challenges the conventional notion that productivity is about hard work and discipline.
Instead, he argues that the secret to productivity is feeling good.
Drawing on decades of psychological research, Abdaal introduces the three hidden 'energisers' that underpin enjoyable productivity, the three 'blockers' to overcome procrastination, and the three 'sustainers' to prevent burnout.
The book includes inspiring stories from founders, Olympians, and Nobel-winning scientists and provides simple, actionable changes to make work more enjoyable and sustainable.
Abdaal's approach focuses on cultivating a deeper energy for work, balancing well-being with productivity, and enjoying the journey.
#554
• Mentioned in 56 episodes
What We Owe the Future
William MacAskill
In this book, William MacAskill advocates for longtermism, the idea that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority.
He argues that future people count, there could be many of them, and we can make their lives better.
MacAskill discusses various threats to humanity, including climate change, AI misalignment, and pandemics, and proposes strategies to ensure civilization's survival and improve its trajectory.
The book explores moral and philosophical issues surrounding longtermism, including the risks of human extinction, civilizational collapse, and technological stagnation, while offering a measured optimism about the future's potential for human flourishing.
#307
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Steal like an artist
10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Austin Kleon
This book, which began as a speech given by Austin Kleon to college students, expands into a manifesto for creativity.
It outlines ten transformative principles such as 'Steal like an artist' (honoring, studying, and transforming ideas), 'Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things,' and 'Use your hands' (emphasizing physical work).
Kleon argues that creativity is not original but builds on what came before, and he provides practical tips and inspiring concepts for artists, writers, musicians, and anyone generating creative work.
#382
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The Precipice
Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity
Toby Ord
In this book, Toby Ord argues that humanity is in a uniquely dangerous period, which he terms 'the Precipice,' beginning with the first atomic bomb test in 1945.
Ord examines various existential risks, including natural and anthropogenic threats, and estimates that there is a one in six chance of humanity suffering an existential catastrophe within the next 100 years.
He advocates for a major reorientation in how we see the world and our role in it, emphasizing the need for collective action to minimize these risks and ensure a safe future for humanity.
The book integrates insights from multiple disciplines, including physics, biology, earth science, computer science, history, anthropology, statistics, international relations, and moral philosophy.
#1812
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Doing Good Better
Will MacAskill
#269
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Made to Stick
Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip Heath
Dan Heath
In this book, Chip and Dan Heath explore the anatomy of ideas that stick and provide methods to make ideas more memorable.
They introduce the SUCCESs formula, which stands for Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, and Stories.
The book is filled with examples from urban legends, business stories, and personal anecdotes, demonstrating how these traits can be applied to make any idea stickier.
It is particularly useful for anyone interested in influencing others, whether in business, education, or other fields.
#639
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Eat That Frog
Brian Tracy
#87
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Principles
Ray Dalio
In 'Principles: Life and Work', Ray Dalio shares the principles he has developed over his career that have helped him achieve success.
The book is divided into three sections: the first section explains how Dalio's principles were formed from his personal and professional experiences; the second section outlines life principles, such as embracing reality, being radically open-minded, and understanding the importance of pain and reflection in personal growth; and the third section focuses on work principles, including the use of radical truth and radical transparency to transform an organization.
Dalio advocates for systematizing decision-making into algorithms, learning from failures, and building a culture where it is okay to make mistakes but unacceptable not to learn from them.
How can we do the most good with our careers, money and lives? And what are the things that we can do right now, to positively impact future generations to come? This is the mission of the Effective Altruism (EA) movement co-founded by Will McAskill, Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Oxford and co-founder of nonprofits Giving What We Can, the Centre for Effective Altruism, and Y Combinator-backed 80,000 Hour. In the conversation, me and Will talk about the fundamentals of EA, his brand new book 'What We Owe The Future', the idea of 'longtermism', the most pressing existential threats humanity is facing and what we can do about them, why giving away your income will make you happier, why your career choice is the biggest choice you’ll make in your life and much more.
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📕Get 50% off Will's new book 'What We Owe The Future' with the code ALI50 via this link 👉https://bookshop.org/books/what-we-owe-the-future/9781541618626
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Find the show notes and the transcript on the website: https://aliabdaal.com/podcast/
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