What are the most important moral problems of our time? | Will MacAskill

Of all the problems facing humanity, which should we focus on solving first? In a compelling talk about how to make the world better, moral philosopher Will MacAskill provides a framework for answering this question based on the philosophy of "effective altruism" -- and shares ideas for taking on three pressing global issues.

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[zachneiderhouser]

I'm kinda just a few minutes into this, but the part on factory farming being a neglected concern really got me thinking about something much deeper and much more existential: our lack of appreciation for life as a whole seems like a pretty neglected priority.

It's easy and understandable to get hung up on the importance of human life and well being, but it seems unlikely humans are going to last forever. I think it's of utmost importance to keep the flame of life going without regards to our own species.

It's easy to be selfish and human centric, but I'd like to think that if aliens found us they would value us as intelligent lifeforms or just lifeforms in general. I'd like to think we'd do the same if we expanded into the stars.

I hope that doesn't come off as pretentious and morally self-righteous as I kinda felt typing it.

Love any of you that read this either way

[harveytheparaglidingchaser]

I'm impressed with human progress but where are the graphs for species extinction, plastics pollution, overfishing, forest destruction, insect numbers, ocean dead zones, etc etc.

[ShadaOfAllThings]

Our lack of Empathy for our fellow human being, no matter who or what they are, is and has been our most pressing moral problem since the dawn of civilization.

[peggyharris]

I'm so glad we are not all depressed and angry.

[celestialcircledance]

Will definitely did his research and covered many of the big globe issues . Also reassuring to be reminded that it's not all doom and gloom and how far we've come !

[jamespotts]

This is an amazing "Ted Talk", "effective altruism" is the direct result of philosophy, the teaching of, in addition to the interest in philosophical conceptualizing of modern global issues. Furthermore, this shows the "true power" of philosophy and it's need for the betterment of humanity.

[Dindonmasker]

great talk! i try to stay aware of the futur generations when making big decisions. my life is a very small part of this, but it's all i have. if everyone that has the choice to make a decision for the better should explore their options.

[drewcampbell]

I heard this young man speak around 2015, and read one of his books shortly after: 'Doing Good Better'. His philosophy (a rather grand term for his idea, I'm afraid) is, as I read it, pretty thin stuff. I clicked on to see if there was any hint of more developed insight but it seems not.

It's OK to be super-rich, he suggests, so long as you're giving back via charity. Not so strong on fair systems of taxation, or paying taxes generally, or better governance, or how reducing inequality might actually unleash a whole host of other benefits.

Not necessarily insincere, but ultimately rather shallow stuff.

[arabellac]

Why does this come across as so peculiarly and deeply inauthentic? I'm left extremely disturbed by this individual, but perhaps it's just me.

[alexandrabombardier]

It is so sad to imagine that humanity may not live to realize all the great things listed at 7:11 because of our own self-destruction and the way we neglect the environment...

[louiscurry]

Impressive framework for thinking. 👍 hugely underrated ted talk.

[stalin]

There is nothing new here except presentation -his pitch is perfect for the age of internet billionaires and middle class affluent who like to feel about guilty about their affluence. He'll be an academic superstar but not is not a philosopher in any serious sense. His talk is all about broad bush self improvement - a message we love, that we can progress to a better world .

[IamJay]

*T* - _technology_
*E* - _entertainment_
*D* - _design_

[zbjstpn]

Living in poverty can result in malnutrition, poor health, fewer opportunities for education and increased illness. With an estimated 783 million people living in poverty,  eradicating poverty is one of the biggest global issues facing humankind.

[wiamassabbar]

I really like two things that he talked about and we are facing them today, he talked about global pandemic and that happened, and he talked about how the ai will be secure ، and here we are today companies work for making ai secure

[bjmitchell]

I philanthropy really the solution to the biggest problems today? All of our major issues are man-made. Apart from to some extent health issues. But in his example of helping philanthropically with factory farming?? Throwing more money at it isn’t going to help. Companies and corporations that created generations of fast food eaters need to change so that they stop needing to house billions of animals in torturous conditions. Ethics really is the key. And when people set out to make money, ethics is very often thrown out the window.

[zeromailss]

Joke aside, I think educational revolution might be a good idea

Edit: I doubt we can transform the world in just one generation, or best bet is to educate the younger generation properly and hope for the best, because from what I can see our current educational system is outdated and we also cannot ignore how parents is also a big factor for child mental growth which usually is beyond reach of school

Bad parenting is a big problem

[grapeape]

The biggest moral problem in the world is selfishness. All we think about is me, myself and I. We don't care for others and even when we try to feel like we care for others, it's guided by our own world view or our desire to feel like "I personally" am making a difference. We are more concerned about being cool, being trendy, being free thinking, being able to not be like "those type of people". Our "compassion" is guided by the way we see the way we want the world to be, and not by what other people need. We think way to highly of ourselves, saying, if we only had deeper thoughts and greater discussion, then we will make a difference. If we set up OUR better world, then those people will be better off. We think that "if we think that we are great, we can do great", but in that we continue to put ourselves higher than others. Stop being selfish, stop building your egos, stop thinking you know it all and have the right way. Our own selfishness is ripping this world apart, everyone of us are to blame.

[LloydJAnthony]

The examples to show things improving are based on benefit to humans, whilst one of the three problems listed is of detriment to animals. If correlation means causation (which, admittedly, in most cases it doesn't), the suggestion is surely that as humans better their own lives, they make it worse for the rest of the world, which is a big problem when you consider we can't survive without the rest of it - democracy or not. I saw the point on the graph suggested where nobody lived in poverty, but failed to see any point where anybody but humans were benefited - which is rather isolationist.

[sdDiadel]

One of the best 'Ted talks' I have seen and heard!