Dean Spears and Michael Geruso. After the Spike.
My notes on a book that shows that we are on course for global depopulation and makes the case to try to stabilise the population, both for prosperity and as extra lives are valuable.
The Reality Mindset and the Mythology Mindset
A short essay on the valuable distinction between The Reality Mindset and The Mythology Mindset that Steven Pinker introduced in his book ‘Rationality’.
William MacAskill. What We Owe The Future
My notes on an impressive book making the case for longtermism, the view that positively influencing the future is a key moral priority. Future people count, there could be a lot of them, and we can make their lives go better.
What We Owe The Future: Media List
My list of the media appearances by Will MacAskill promoting ‘What We Owe The Future, ‘ with links.
A Problem with Motivation
A post on the EA Forum arguing that effective altruism should recognise that motivation comes more reliably from following norms and law than from willpower.
Bullet Points on Metaethics, Utilitarianism and Effective Altruism
Brief points to set out my views on metaethics, utilitarianism and effective altruism
William MacAskill. Doing Good Better.
My notes on a book explaining effective altruism’s approach of using evidence and careful reasoning to find how to make the most positive difference.
Steven Pinker. Enlightenment Now.
Notes on a book showing that the enlightenment ideas of reason, science, humanism and progress have transformed human well-being.
Toby Ord. The Precipice.
My notes on a book about existential risks. Humanity is on a precipice where it risks destroying itself and losing its great potential.
How Both Human History and The History Of Ethics May be Just Beginning
A discussion of my favourite philosophical passage, the final section of Derek Parfit’s Reasons and Persons. In a few paragraphs he introduces two profound ideas: the importance of humanity’s long-term future and that non-religious ethics has only just begun.