Longtermism is the view that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral priority of our time.^[1]^[2]

A distinction is sometimes drawn between longtermism simpliciter and strong versions of that view.^[3] While allowing that other forms of influence may also be important, strong longtermism holds that positively influencing the long-term future has dominant moral importance. This view has been defended by Hilary Greaves and William MacAskill,^[4] and has precedents in the work of Nick Bostrom,^[5]^[6] Nick Beckstead,^[7]^[8] and others.

Further reading

Beckstead, Nick (2019) A brief argument for the overwhelming importance of shaping the far future, in Hilary Greaves & Theron Pummer (eds.) Effective Altruism: Philosophical Issues, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 80–98.

MacAskill, William, Hilary Greaves & Elliott Thornley (2021) The moral case for long-term thinking, in Natalie Cargill & Tyler John (eds.) The Long View: Essays on Policy, Philanthropy, and the Long-Term Future, London: First, pp. 19–28.

Moorhouse, Fin (2021) Introduction to longtermism, Effective Altruism, January 27.

External links

Longtermism. Online introduction to longtermism.

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Democracy & EA