anyone who prioritizes the wellbeing of the “future of humanity” in the abstract over the dignity and care of individuals in the present cannot claim that they truly care about people
anyone who prioritizes the wellbeing of the “future of humanity” in the abstract over the dignity and care of individuals in the present cannot claim that they truly care about people
You might agree that future people matter in the abstract. But it’s this point — that our actions today could meaningfully impact their lives — that might compel you to believe that positively influencing the long-term future should be a key moral priority of a time. This is the idea encapsulated by longtermism.
An Introduction to Longtermism
Juan Orbea added
Tony Lashley and added
we don’t draw clear lines between our concerns for the present and the future—both are in play.
William MacAskill • What We Owe the Future
Guided by the gospels of “radical longtermism” and “effective altruism” (EA), these newfangled storytellers are devoted to the flourishing of imaginary future people rather than the well-being of the masses right here, right now.
Ruha Benjamin • Imagination: A Manifesto (A Norton Short)
Alex Libre and added
For example, they all professed to care about “humanity,” while at the same time often being a bit slow to love actual people. “It doesn’t really start with people,” said George. “It starts with suffering. It’s about preventing suffering. They care about animals in the same way.
Michael Lewis • Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon
I’d summarize why this is all happening with two sentences—one academic version and one human-being version. Academic: System-level optimization will generally result in individual suffering. Human: Sometimes stuff that is good for a bunch of people will be bad for the one.
every.to • The Addiction Economy
sari added
Noble intentions and lofty rhetoric about justice and equality are not enough. The kinds of policies and interventions that benefit people often sound bad. Those that hurt people often sound good.