What We Owe The Future

In this optimistic, grounded and highly readable book, one of the giants of contemporary philosophy delivers a visionary, persuasive argument for longtermism – and the idea that the key moral priority of our time is to try and positively influence the distant future.

In What We Owe The Future, philosopher William MacAskill persuasively argues for longtermism, the idea that positively influencing the distant future is a moral priority of our time. It isn't enough to mitigate climate change or avert the next pandemic.

We must ensure that civilization would rebound if it collapsed; cultivate value pluralism; and prepare for a planet where the most sophisticated beings are digital and not human.

The challenges we face are enormous. But so is the influence we have.