Longtermism Exposed: The Shocking Truth About Why Future Generations Demand Our Attention Now

The Overlooked Majority: Why Future People Matter

It may surprise you to learn that the vast majority of human lives have yet to be born. If humanity lasts just a million years at current population levels, future generations will outnumber us ten thousand to one. This means the interests of those not yet alive carry immense moral weight. Ignoring future people is a grave ethical oversight that blinds us to the true scale of our impact.

Historical Ripples: How Past Choices Shape Today

Our ancestors’ actions have long-lasting effects, from causing megafauna extinctions to altering the climate through early agriculture. These examples show how even primitive decisions can echo through time. Recognizing the persistence and contingency of historical impacts urges us to act with foresight and humility.

Moral Revolutions: Fragile Yet Powerful

The abolition of slavery was a monumental moral shift achieved through determined activism against entrenched economic interests. This change was contingent on specific historical conditions and could have been delayed or reversed. This fragility reminds us that moral progress requires vigilance and active nurturing.

Value Lock-In: The Double-Edged Sword of Technology

While moral change is possible, values can become locked in, creating rigid orthodoxy. Advanced AI introduces the risk that encoded values may be preserved indefinitely, potentially stifling future moral evolution. Careful ethical guidance of AI development is essential to prevent harmful ossification.

The Lifeline of Moral Diversity and Cooperation

Encouraging diverse perspectives, protecting free speech, and fostering migration enrich societies with new ideas and values. Constructive dialogue between opposing groups builds durable solutions and social cohesion. This moral experimentalism is key to a dynamic, flourishing future.

Existential Risks: The Urgency to Act

Humanity faces grave risks, including nuclear war, engineered pandemics, and climate change. Successes like asteroid detection programs show that mitigation is possible with effort. Proactive governance, science, and diplomacy must be prioritized to safeguard civilization.

Philosophy in Action: Foundations of Longtermism

Longtermism is grounded in ethical frameworks like expected value theory that help us make wise decisions under uncertainty. Common objections—such as discounting future interests or doubting influence—are addressed with reasoned arguments emphasizing the stakes. Embracing longtermism inspires hope, responsibility, and action to build a flourishing future.

Don’t overlook the future. Our choices today can echo through eternity, shaping a legacy of justice and kindness for all who follow.