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Questions and Answers

What percentage of your life is spent enslaved or as a slaveholder?

  • 5 percent
  • 10 percent (correct)
  • 20 percent
  • 30 percent

How much of life as we know it exists after AD 1200?

  • One third (correct)
  • Two thirds
  • Half
  • One quarter

What technological advancements are mentioned as significant changes in society after 1750?

  • Television and radio
  • Medical imaging and pharmaceuticals
  • Steam engines, factories, and electricity (correct)
  • Computers and the internet

If humanity lasts as long as a typical mammalian species, how much of your life would still be ahead of you?

<p>99.5 percent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would a life lasting for hundreds of millions of years resemble if the earth is no longer habitable?

<p>The first blinking seconds out of the womb (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept related to morality is highlighted in the thought experiment?

<p>Empathy and understanding others' experiences (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of today's actions is suggested to have a long-term impact on future lives?

<p>Carbon dioxide emissions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the importance of investing in research and education?

<p>To secure a better future for all potential lives (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total duration of the life experienced in the reincarnation scenario depicted?

<p>Four trillion years (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In this reincarnation narrative, what percentage of life is spent in agricultural activities?

<p>60 percent (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities consumes the smallest proportion of the total lifespan?

<p>Taking part in religious rituals (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much time is attributed to the experience of affliction from diseases like malaria or smallpox?

<p>1 percent (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of experiences are predominantly depicted as part of the ordinary lives in this narrative?

<p>Everyday realities like socializing and working (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the experience of cruelty and kindness in the reincarnation narrative?

<p>From both the colonizers and the colonized (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the experience of time spent on sexual activities in the life narrative?

<p>1.5 billion years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the historical figures mentioned, like Cleopatra or Napoleon, in the life experience described?

<p>They account for a tiny fraction of the total experience. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What analogy is used to describe humanity's current state?

<p>An imprudent teenager (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has significantly increased in the last two hundred years concerning life expectancy?

<p>Average life expectancy has increased (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world lived in extreme poverty two hundred years ago?

<p>Over 50 percent (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which trend regarding education has improved significantly over the past centuries?

<p>More than 5 percent of adults can read (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What capability does humanity have regarding the future according to the content?

<p>To influence positive trends (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the future of humanity?

<p>It could be very bad, but also very good (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What opportunity does humanity potentially have for its future generations?

<p>To build a world with ample resources and care (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What misconception about the future might students have based on the content?

<p>The future is irrelevant to current decisions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the life expectancy provided by a 10 percent chance of surviving after five hundred million years?

<p>Over fifty million years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the future population is smaller than the current one, what is the maximum decrease possible?

<p>Eight billion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What global population density is mentioned in the context of potentially having seventy billion people at one time?

<p>The density of the Netherlands (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the text characterize the current global population size in the context of history?

<p>It is over a thousand times larger than during the hunter-gatherer era. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about the possibility of a much larger future population?

<p>It could happen if humanity colonizes other planets. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is represented visually to illustrate the potential future population?

<p>A grid with figures representing groups of lives (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many people does the scenario of living on Earth for five hundred million years estimate will be the future population?

<p>Significantly larger than present (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does each figure in the author's diagram represent?

<p>Ten billion people (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is longtermism considered an extension of previous social movements?

<p>It advocates for the rights of future individuals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason harm is considered significant regardless of time?

<p>Harm remains harm no matter when it occurs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the content suggest one might view the value of joy for future individuals?

<p>It is equally important as joy for people living today. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What analogy is made to illustrate the importance of future people's well-being?

<p>A child cutting herself on broken glass. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What perspective is emphasized regarding time in the debate about the significance of future people?

<p>Distance in time parallels distance in space. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the awareness of future people regarding present debates?

<p>Current debates will seem absurd to future generations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents the views on future people in the content?

<p>The concerns of future people are equally valid. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as one possible action to help future generations?

<p>Act as trustees for their well-being. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which risk was associated with surgery in the past?

<p>High risk of infection (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would have been difficult for people in 1700 to anticipate regarding modern life?

<p>Advancements in medical treatments like antibiotics (A), Increased global travel capabilities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way has moral change influenced societal progress since 1700?

<p>By increasing the rates of higher education across genders (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'eutopia' imply?

<p>A good place that can be realistically built (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the global status of forced labor in the late 1700s?

<p>Around three in four people were victims (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of anticipating the future suggest?

<p>It confines possibilities within the current situation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about experiences of joy or achievement in a person's life?

<p>They provide insight into the potential of future happiness. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it said that a wonderful future is not just a fantasy?

<p>Historical advancements provide a framework for progress. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Longtermism

A philosophical perspective that emphasizes the importance of long-term consequences for humanity's future, considering the potential impact of our decisions on future generations.

Reincarnation

The belief that after death, the soul is reborn into a new body, potentially in a different form, continuing the cycle of life and death.

Hunter-Gatherer

A way of life where people survive by hunting animals and gathering wild plants for food.

Agriculturalist

A person involved in the practice of farming and raising crops.

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Malaria & Smallpox

Deadly diseases that have afflicted humanity throughout history, causing significant suffering and mortality.

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Colonizer

A person or nation that establishes a colony, often exploiting the land and resources of indigenous populations.

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The Colonized

People who are subjected to colonization, often experiencing the loss of their lands, culture, and autonomy.

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Abuse & Suffering

Acts of cruelty and harm inflicted on others, leading to physical, emotional, or psychological pain.

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Modern Era Uniqueness

The modern era is extraordinary because of rapid societal and technological changes, particularly after 1750.

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Life Expectancy & Experience

Human life expectancy has dramatically increased, leading to a greater proportion of our lives occurring in the modern period. This means we experience more rapid changes and advancements than in the past.

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Future Lives

The thought experiment suggests imagining living through all of human history, including the future. This perspective emphasizes the vastness and importance of future generations.

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Future Importance

The future holds almost all potential for joy and misery for humanity. This perspective highlights the significance of our current actions on future generations.

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Moral Responsibility

By considering the future, we can strengthen our moral compass. It encourages putting ourselves in the shoes of future generations and considering their well-being in our decisions.

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Carbon Emissions

The thought experiment encourages reflecting on the long-term impact of our carbon emissions on future generations. This prompts us to consider sustainable practices.

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Investment in Research & Education

The thought experiment advocates for investing in research and education to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

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Impact of Technology

We must carefully consider the impact of new technologies on the future, ensuring they are used responsibly and do not negatively affect future generations.

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Future People Count

The concept that the well-being of future generations is as important as the well-being of present generations. This means we have a responsibility to consider the impact of our actions on future people.

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Tyranny of the Present

The tendency to prioritize the needs and desires of the present generation over the needs and desires of future generations. This can lead to neglecting the long-term consequences of our actions.

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Disenfranchised

Deprived of the right to vote or participate in political decision-making. In the context of future people, they are disenfranchised because they cannot directly influence the present.

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Trustees of the Future

Individuals or groups who are responsible for safeguarding the interests of future generations. This involves making decisions that consider the long-term consequences and promote sustainability.

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Impact on Future Generations

The consequences of our current actions on the well-being of future people. This can include environmental changes, technological advancements, social structures, and economic systems.

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Distance in Time

The idea that the distance in time between generations shouldn't diminish our moral obligation to care for future people.

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Myopic and Parochial

Shortsighted and narrow-minded. This describes the perspective of those who fail to consider the interests of future generations.

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Life Expectancy of Humanity

The estimated duration of human existence, taking into account potential survival factors like technological advancements, climate change, and resource depletion.

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Future Population Size

The number of people who will be alive at any given point in the future, which can fluctuate greatly based on various factors like technological advancements, resource availability, and societal choices.

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Global Population Density

The number of people living in a given area, measured as people per square kilometer or mile. It reflects the density of human presence on Earth.

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Future Human Expansion Beyond Earth

The possibility of humans colonizing other celestial bodies in space, potentially expanding the human population to other planets and star systems.

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Immensity of Future Lives

The vastness and scale of potential human lives in the future, considering the possibilities of extended lifespans, increased population, and potential colonization of other planets.

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Decisions Impacting Future Generations

The recognition that our current actions and decisions have significant consequences for future generations, influencing their well-being, environment, and opportunities.

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Teenager Analogy

Comparing humanity's current state to a teenager facing a decision, unsure of how long their life will be. This highlights the importance of long-term thinking in the face of uncertainty.

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Value of the Future

The future of humanity holds immense potential, with many positive outcomes possible. However, negative consequences also pose a threat.

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Human Progress

Over the last few centuries, humanity has seen notable progress in life expectancy, poverty reduction, and literacy rates.

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Future Potential

The best we've achieved in the present is a poor guide to what's truly possible. Humanity has potential for a far better future.

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Long-Term Impact

Our actions today have long-term consequences that will impact future generations. We have a duty to consider this impact.

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Positive and Negative Trends

We have the power to promote positive trends, like increasing human well-being, and to change course on negative trends, like environmental degradation.

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Future Generations

We need to consider the well-being of future generations when making decisions today.

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1700s Life Expectancy

Life in the 1700s was full of dangers, with diseases like smallpox, syphilis, and typhus posing constant threats. Even simple procedures like surgery were risky and painful.

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Moral Change

Over time, societies have become more just and inclusive, allowing for greater freedom and equality. Examples include women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights gaining recognition.

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Democracy's Rise

In the 1700s, democracy was nonexistent. Now, over half the world's population lives under democratic systems.

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Anticipating the Future

It's hard to predict the future, especially over long periods. Our ancestors likely couldn't imagine many of the modern advancements we take for granted.

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Potential of Humanity

We should be optimistic about the human potential for good. Our best moments, filled with love, achievement, and creativity, show what's possible.

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Eutopia

Eutopia is a 'good place,' a future worth striving for, where society has overcome its challenges and achieved a state of well-being.

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Path to Eutopia

While a wonderful future is possible, it's a delicate path. It requires continuous effort, wisdom, and patience from both present and future generations.

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Paving the Way

Our actions today have a profound impact on the future. We have a responsibility to ensure that future generations inherit a world that is prosperous and sustainable.

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Study Notes

Book Title and Author

  • Book title: What We Owe the Future
  • Author: William MacAskill
  • Additional author note: Stephen Fry

Book Content Summary

  • A book of great daring, realistic, optimistic, and readable
  • A million-year view
  • Contents include sections on the long view, trajectory changes, safeguarding civilisation, assessing the end of the world, and taking action.
  • Includes a discussion on longtermism, the idea that positively influencing the long-term future is a crucial moral priority.
  • The book argues that future generations deserve moral consideration equal to current ones, citing historical precedents.
  • It highlights the unprecedented scale of the present moment, marked by rapid technological and societal change, and the potential impact on future generations.
  • The book discusses the importance of focusing on actions that will benefit future generations , emphasizing the need for a moral framework to navigate challenging choices that affect the distant future.

Historical Context

  • Discusses the development and advancement of humanity over a long period and the need for long-term thinking

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What We Owe The Future PDF

Description

This quiz explores profound questions about human existence, societal changes, and the impact of our actions on the future. Test your understanding of historical timelines, technological advancements, and moral concepts that shape our lives. Engage with thought-provoking scenarios about humanity's longevity and the importance of investing in knowledge.

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