1. Introduction
William MacAskill is an Oxford philosopher, effective altruist, and author of the book Doing Good Better. He is a leader in the effective altruism movement, which is focused on using evidence and reason to do the most good for the world. He is a co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism, a charity evaluator, and a professor at Oxford University. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, among other publications.
MacAskill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1987. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied philosophy and mathematics. After graduating with a degree in philosophy, he went on to receive a masters in the same subject. He then completed a doctorate degree in philosophy at the University of Oxford.
MacAskill is a strong advocate of the use of evidence and reason to determine how to do the most good. His work focuses on the use of cost-effectiveness analysis to determine how to allocate resources to maximize their impact. He has written extensively on the topic of effective altruism, including the book Doing Good Better and the article “The Case for Effective Altruism.”
MacAskill is a professor at Oxford University and a research fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute. He is also the co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism, a charity evaluator, and the co-founder of Giving What We Can, an organization that encourages people to pledge a portion of their income to effective charities.
MacAskill’s work has been widely recognized and praised. He has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Economist, and other publications. He has received numerous awards, including the 2017 Oxford University Press Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Philosophy. He has also been named one of the world’s 50 most influential people in the field of effective altruism by the charity evaluator GiveWell.
MacAskill’s work has been instrumental in the growth of the effective altruism movement. He is a strong advocate of using evidence and reason to determine how to do the most good for the world. His work has been influential in the development of effective altruism as a field of study and a practice. His book Doing Good Better provides an accessible introduction to the principles of effective altruism and how to put them into practice.
2. Early Life
William MacAskill was born on April 6th, 1989 in Edinburgh, Scotland, to parents David and Lorna MacAskill. Growing up, William was a bright and inquisitive child who had a passion for knowledge and learning. He attended the prestigious George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, where he excelled in his studies and was an active member of the school’s debating society.
William’s interest in philosophy began at an early age, and he was particularly drawn to utilitarianism, a philosophical system that focuses on increasing the overall well-being of the greatest number of people. This fascination with utilitarianism would eventually lead him to pursue a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford University.
William was an avid reader from a young age, and he was particularly fond of books by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and J.K. Rowling. He also enjoyed playing video games, particularly those of the strategy and role-playing variety.
William’s parents were both highly educated, and they instilled in him a strong sense of social responsibility and a commitment to making the world a better place. They encouraged him to pursue his passions and to use his knowledge and skills to help those in need.
William’s passion for helping others led him to become involved in various charitable causes, including working with a local homeless shelter and helping to organize food drives for the less fortunate. He was also an active volunteer for the British Red Cross, and he spent time working in refugee camps in Africa.
William’s commitment to helping others would eventually lead him to pursue a career in effective altruism, a movement that seeks to use evidence-based strategies to maximize the impact of charitable donations. He is now widely recognized as one of the leading figures in the effective altruism movement, and his work has had a profound impact on the way people think about philanthropy and giving.
3. Education
William MacAskill was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended George Watson’s College, a private school in Edinburgh, before attending Oxford University. At Oxford, MacAskill studied philosophy, politics, and economics, graduating with a first-class honours degree in 2008.
MacAskill’s academic career began as a research assistant at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics. During this time, he conducted research into the ethical implications of climate change, animal welfare, and global poverty. In 2009, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and began his doctoral studies at Oxford.
MacAskill’s doctoral research focused on the philosophical foundations of effective altruism. He argued that people should use the most effective means available to help others, and that this could be done in a way that is both rational and ethical. His thesis, “Doing the Most Good: How Effective Altruism is Changing Ideas about Living Ethically”, was published in 2014.
In 2011, MacAskill co-founded the effective altruism movement, which encourages people to use evidence and reason to identify the most effective ways to improve the world. He is the author of two books on effective altruism, Doing Good Better (2015) and The Most Good You Can Do (2016).
MacAskill has also served as a visiting professor at Stanford University, and a visiting scholar at Harvard University. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and universities around the world, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian.
MacAskill’s research and advocacy has had a profound impact on the way people think about altruism and charitable giving. He has inspired a new generation of altruists and helped to redefine the way we think about giving and doing good. His work has also led to the creation of numerous organizations and initiatives dedicated to effective altruism.
4. Career
William MacAskill is a philosopher and effective altruist who has made a career out of advocating for the advancement of global welfare. He is the co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism and the author of the book Doing Good Better: How Effective Altruism Can Help You Make a Difference.
MacAskill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and grew up in a family of academics. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2008. It was during his time at university that he became interested in the concept of effective altruism and started to think about how he could use his skills to make a positive difference in the world.
In 2009, MacAskill co-founded the Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA), a non-profit organization that works to promote effective altruism and encourage people to make a positive difference in the world. The organization has since grown to become one of the most influential organizations in the effective altruism movement.
In 2013, MacAskill wrote the book Doing Good Better: How Effective Altruism Can Help You Make a Difference. The book is a practical guide to effective altruism, and it has been praised for its clear and accessible writing style. It has been translated into multiple languages and is widely read by people interested in making a positive difference in the world.
In addition to his work with the CEA, MacAskill has also been involved in a number of other projects related to effective altruism. He is a board member of the Life You Can Save, a charity that works to reduce extreme poverty, and he is a co-founder of Giving What We Can, an organization that encourages people to donate a portion of their income to effective charities.
In recent years, MacAskill has become increasingly involved in public speaking and has given lectures and talks around the world. He has also been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.
MacAskill’s work has been widely praised for its potential to make a positive difference in the world. He has been featured in Time Magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people and was named one of the world’s 50 most influential thinkers by Prospect Magazine in 2018.
William MacAskill is an inspiring figure in the field of effective altruism and has dedicated his life to making a positive difference in the world. Through his work with the CEA and other organizations, MacAskill has helped to promote effective altruism and encourage people to make a positive difference in the world.
5. Accomplishments
William MacAskill is an influential philosopher, author, and entrepreneur who has made a lasting impact on the world of effective altruism. MacAskill is the co-founder of Giving What We Can, an organization dedicated to helping people use their resources to make the world a better place. He is also the co-founder of 80,000 Hours, a career advice organization that helps people make career decisions that are both personally meaningful and beneficial to the world.
MacAskill’s accomplishments are far-reaching and have had a major impact on the world of effective altruism. His work has been instrumental in helping people understand the importance of making meaningful contributions to the world. He has written extensively on the subject, including his book Doing Good Better, which has become a seminal text in the field. In addition, MacAskill has been a major proponent of effective altruism, speaking at conferences, giving lectures, and writing articles on the subject.
MacAskill’s influence has been felt in the business world as well. He was the co-founder of Giving What We Can, an organization that helps people use their resources to make the world a better place. He is also the co-founder of 80,000 Hours, which provides career advice to people who want to make a meaningful impact on the world. In addition, MacAskill has been an advisor to numerous organizations, including the Center for Effective Altruism and the Open Philanthropy Project.
MacAskill’s influence has been felt in the world of academia as well. He is a professor of philosophy at Oxford University, where he teaches courses on effective altruism and moral philosophy. He has also been a visiting professor at Stanford University and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In addition, MacAskill has served as a consultant to several organizations, including the Centre for Effective Altruism and the Open Philanthropy Project.
Finally, MacAskill has been a major advocate for the use of effective altruism to make the world a better place. His work has been instrumental in helping people understand the importance of making meaningful contributions to the world. He has written extensively on the subject, giving lectures, and writing articles on the subject. In addition, MacAskill has been a major proponent of effective altruism, speaking at conferences, giving lectures, and writing articles on the subject.
William MacAskill’s accomplishments have had a major impact on the world of effective altruism. His work has been instrumental in helping people understand the importance of making meaningful contributions to the world. He has written extensively on the subject, given lectures, and written articles on the subject. In addition, MacAskill has been a major proponent of effective altruism, speaking at conferences, giving lectures, and writing articles on the subject. He has also been an advisor to numerous organizations, including the Center for Effective Altruism and the Open Philanthropy Project. Finally, MacAskill has been a major advocate for the use of effective altruism to make the world a better place. His influence has been felt in the world of academia, business, and beyond.
6. Legacy
William MacAskill’s legacy will be remembered for generations to come. As a philosopher and ethicist, he has made a lasting impact on the way people think about the world, and how they can use their resources to make a difference. He is best known for popularizing the concept of effective altruism, which encourages individuals to use their resources to do the most good for the world. He has also made a significant impact on the field of global poverty, advocating for more effective and efficient interventions to reduce extreme poverty.
MacAskill’s legacy is most evident in the way people think about charity and aid. He has been a vocal advocate for the idea that donations should be used to do the most good for the world, rather than simply feel good about giving. He has encouraged people to think more carefully about where their money is going and how it can be used most effectively. This has led to a greater focus on evidence-based interventions, such as deworming and providing mosquito nets, which are proven to be effective in reducing global poverty.
MacAskill’s legacy can also be seen in the way people think about their own lives. He has encouraged people to think more deeply about the impact that their lives have on the world, and how they can use their time and resources to make a difference. This has led to a greater focus on career choices, such as working in global health or development, which are seen as more effective ways to reduce poverty and inequality.
Finally, MacAskill’s legacy will also be remembered in the way people think about the future. He has been a vocal advocate for the idea that we have a moral obligation to future generations to leave the world in a better state than it is today. He has argued that, as individuals, we should be doing more to reduce global poverty and inequality, and to protect the environment for future generations.
William MacAskill’s legacy will be remembered for generations to come. He has made a lasting impact on the way people think about charity and aid, their own lives, and the future of the world. His ideas have encouraged people to think more deeply about the impact they can have, and to use their resources to do the most good for the world. His legacy will continue to inspire people to make a difference in the world.
What We Owe the Future: William MacAskill
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William MacAskill is an influential philosopher, author, and professor who has dedicated his life to making the world a better place. He has become a leading figure in the effective altruism movement, a philosophy which seeks to use evidence and reason to maximize the benefit of philanthropic efforts. MacAskill’s work has been instrumental in transforming the way people think about charity and how to make the most of their donations.
William MacAskill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1988. He was raised in a family that valued education and philanthropy, and he was inspired to make a difference in the world from an early age. After graduating from high school, MacAskill went on to study philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford University.
At Oxford, MacAskill was exposed to a variety of ideas and philosophies, including utilitarianism, which he would later use to shape his own views on effective altruism. After graduating in 2010, he continued his studies at Princeton University, where he earned his Ph.D. in philosophy in 2015.
MacAskill began his career as a professor of philosophy at Oxford in 2015. During this time, he wrote several influential books on effective altruism, including Doing Good Better and The Most Good You Can Do. These books have become essential reading for anyone interested in making the most of their charitable donations.
MacAskill is also the co-founder of Effective Altruism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting evidence-based philanthropy. The organization works with charities, governments, and corporations to ensure that donations are used in the most effective way possible.
In addition to his work with Effective Altruism, MacAskill is also a founding member of the Centre for Effective Altruism, a research organization dedicated to advancing the effective altruism movement. He is also the co-founder of Giving What We Can, an organization that encourages people to donate 10% of their income to effective charities.
MacAskill’s work has had a profound impact on the way people think about philanthropy. His books and lectures have helped to popularize the idea of effective altruism and have encouraged people to think more critically about how they can make the most of their donations.
MacAskill’s work has also been instrumental in helping to shape government policy. His research has been cited by the United Nations and other international organizations, and his ideas have been adopted by governments around the world.
MacAskill’s work has inspired a new generation of philanthropists who are committed to making the world a better place. His ideas have helped to transform the way people think about charity and have encouraged them to be more thoughtful about how they can make the most of their donations.
MacAskill’s legacy will live on for generations to come. He has changed the way people think about philanthropy and has helped to create a world where people are more thoughtful and intentional about how they use their resources to make the world a better place.
Introduction
William MacAskill is a Scottish philosopher, author, and effective altruist. He is the co-founder of Giving What We Can and 80,000 Hours, two organizations which promote and support effective altruism, a philanthropic movement which seeks to maximize the impact of charitable giving. MacAskill’s work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Guardian, and The New York Times, among other publications. He has been described as “one of the most influential people in the world” and has been credited with helping to popularize effective altruism, a movement which seeks to maximize the impact of charitable giving.
MacAskill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1987. He attended the Edinburgh Academy, a private school in the city, and later went on to study philosophy, politics, and economics at Balliol College, Oxford. While at Oxford, he became involved in effective altruism and co-founded Giving What We Can and 80,000 Hours, two organizations which promote and support effective altruism.
MacAskill’s work has been focused on advocating for and promoting effective altruism. He has argued that individuals have a moral responsibility to use their resources to help those in need and that, by doing so, they can have a greater impact on the world than they would by simply donating money. He has also argued that individuals should consider their career choices in light of their potential to do good, and that they should strive to use their talents and resources to have the greatest possible impact.
MacAskill has written several books on the subject of effective altruism, including Doing Good Better, The Precipice, and The Most Good You Can Do. He has also been featured in The New Yorker, The Guardian, and The New York Times, among other publications. In addition, he has spoken at TEDx events and has been invited to give lectures at universities around the world.
MacAskill’s work has been credited with helping to popularize effective altruism, a movement which seeks to maximize the impact of charitable giving. His books and lectures have helped to spread the message of effective altruism and to inspire people to use their resources to help those in need. As a result, he has been described as “one of the most influential people in the world.”
Early Life
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William MacAskill was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on April 14, 1988 to parents Kenneth and Elizabeth MacAskill. He was raised in a household that valued education, morality, and social responsibility, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passions and interests.
William attended the prestigious George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, where he excelled academically and was an active member of the school’s debating team. He was also a member of the school’s music program, playing the violin and the cello.
William was always interested in philosophy and ethics, and he began to explore these topics more deeply during his teenage years. He read extensively on the subject, and began to develop his own views on morality and social responsibility. He was particularly interested in utilitarianism, and this interest eventually led him to pursue a degree in philosophy at Oxford University.
At Oxford, William continued to explore his interests in philosophy, ethics, and social responsibility. He was especially interested in the effective altruism movement, which seeks to use evidence and reason to determine how to do the most good with one’s resources. He was an active member of the Oxford Effective Altruism Society, and he regularly attended events and conferences related to the movement.
William also began to explore the idea of effective giving, which seeks to maximize the impact of charitable donations. He was particularly interested in the idea of “earning to give”, which advocates for individuals to pursue high-paying jobs in order to donate a larger portion of their income to charity. William was inspired by this concept, and he eventually wrote his doctoral thesis on the subject.
William also began to explore the idea of effective animal advocacy, which seeks to reduce animal suffering through evidence-based interventions. He wrote extensively on the subject, and he was particularly interested in the idea of “reducing wild animal suffering”, which advocates for the humane management of wild animal populations.
William’s academic achievements and interests eventually led him to become a prominent figure in the effective altruism and animal advocacy movements. He was an active speaker and writer, and spoke at numerous events and conferences all over the world. He was also a regular contributor to various publications and blogs, and he wrote several books on the topics of effective altruism and animal advocacy.
Education
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William MacAskill is an influential philosopher and philanthropist who has dedicated his life to promoting effective altruism and making the world a better place. His work has been instrumental in developing the framework for making decisions about charitable giving in an efficient and effective way. He is also a co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism, a global organization dedicated to advancing the cause of effective altruism.
MacAskill was born in Scotland and grew up in a small village near Edinburgh. He was raised in a family of academics and developed an early passion for philosophy and moral reasoning. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where he earned a degree in philosophy and economics.
At the University of Edinburgh, MacAskill was exposed to the field of effective altruism. This field of study focuses on the idea that individuals can do the most good by donating their resources to the most effective charities. This idea appealed to MacAskill, and he decided to pursue a career in this area.
After graduating from the University of Edinburgh, MacAskill went on to pursue a doctorate in philosophy at Oxford. During his time at Oxford, MacAskill studied the ethical implications of effective altruism and developed a framework for making decisions about charitable giving. He also wrote a book on the subject, Doing Good Better, which has become a popular and influential resource for those interested in effective altruism.
MacAskill’s work has been instrumental in the growth of the effective altruism movement. His book has become a popular resource for those interested in the field and his lectures have been attended by thousands of people. He has also been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.
In addition to his work promoting effective altruism, MacAskill has also been involved in various philanthropic initiatives. He is a co-founder of Giving What We Can, an organization that encourages people to donate a portion of their income to effective charities. He is also a co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism, a global organization dedicated to advancing the cause of effective altruism.
MacAskill’s work has had a tremendous impact on the world of philanthropy and charitable giving. His dedication to promoting effective altruism has inspired countless individuals to donate their resources to the most effective charities. His work has also demonstrated the importance of making decisions about charitable giving in an efficient and effective way. As a result, MacAskill’s legacy will continue to shape the world of philanthropy for years to come.
Career
William MacAskill is an influential philosopher, author, and activist best known for his work in effective altruism. Born in Scotland in 1988, MacAskill was raised in a family of academics, which helped foster his interest in philosophy and ethics. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 2010, where he studied philosophy, politics, and economics.
MacAskill’s career began with a two-year stint at the Centre for Effective Altruism, a research institute he co-founded with fellow Oxford student Toby Ord. During this time, he wrote his first book, Doing Good Better, which laid out the principles of effective altruism and how to use them to make the world a better place. He has since gone on to become a leading figure in the effective altruism movement, writing and speaking extensively on the topic.
In 2014, MacAskill co-founded the charity Giving What We Can, which encourages people to pledge a portion of their income to effective charities. He then went on to found the Centre for Effective Altruism, which supports research and advocacy in the effective altruism movement. In 2015, he was named one of the world’s 50 most influential thinkers by Prospect Magazine.
MacAskill has also been an advocate for animal welfare, publishing several papers on the topic, including one that argued that factory farming should be abolished. He has also published several books, including Doing Good Better, The Most Good You Can Do, and Doing the Most Good.
MacAskill has been a frequent speaker at conferences and universities, and his TED talks have been viewed millions of times. He has also been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.
In addition to his work in effective altruism, MacAskill has been an advocate for global poverty reduction and climate change mitigation. He is a vocal supporter of the Giving Pledge, a campaign to encourage the world’s wealthiest people to donate a majority of their wealth to charity. He is also a member of the Open Philanthropy Project, which seeks to identify and fund the most effective philanthropic opportunities.
William MacAskill’s career has been dedicated to making the world a better place, and his work has had a profound impact on the effective altruism movement. His books, talks, and other contributions have helped to shape the way people think about giving and how they can use their resources to do the most good.
Accomplishments
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William MacAskill is a philosopher, author, and effective altruist who has made significant contributions to the world of ethical philosophy and global social change. Throughout his career, MacAskill has achieved a number of notable accomplishments, from writing best-selling books to founding and leading several organizations.
MacAskill’s most notable accomplishment is the co-founding of the effective altruism movement. Along with philosopher Peter Singer, MacAskill co-founded the effective altruism movement in 2011. This movement encourages people to use evidence and reason to make the world a better place, applying the same principles of effectiveness to charity and philanthropy as one would to any other endeavor. The effective altruism movement has since grown to encompass over 200,000 members, and has inspired hundreds of millions of dollars of donations to effective charities and initiatives.
In addition to co-founding the effective altruism movement, MacAskill has also co-founded several organizations that promote the principles of effective altruism. These include Giving What We Can, 80,000 Hours, and the Centre for Effective Altruism. Giving What We Can is an organization that encourages people to pledge a portion of their income to effective charities, while 80,000 Hours is a career counseling organization that helps people find jobs in which they can do the most good. The Centre for Effective Altruism, meanwhile, is a research organization that promotes and supports research into effective altruism.
In addition to his organizational work, MacAskill is also a prolific author. In 2015, he released his first book, Doing Good Better, which was a New York Times bestseller. The book explains the principles of effective altruism, making them more accessible to the general public. MacAskill has also written several academic papers, including “The Moral Imperative of Effective Altruism”, which was published in the Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics.
Finally, MacAskill has been recognized for his work with several awards. In 2017, he was awarded the University of Oxford’s prestigious Uehiro Prize in Practical Ethics. In 2018, he was awarded the University of Edinburgh’s Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science.
William MacAskill is a philosopher, author, and effective altruist who has achieved a number of significant accomplishments throughout his career. He is best known for co-founding the effective altruism movement, co-founding several organizations that promote the principles of effective altruism, writing the best-selling book Doing Good Better, and being awarded the University of Oxford’s Uehiro Prize in Practical Ethics and the University of Edinburgh’s Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science. Through his work, MacAskill has had a profound impact on ethical philosophy and global social change.
Legacy
William MacAskill is an Oxford philosopher whose legacy is one of inspiring people to think about the bigger picture and how their actions can have a positive impact on the world. He is best known for his work on effective altruism, which he has been promoting since his undergraduate days. This philosophy encourages people to use their resources and talents to do the most good they can for others, and to make the world a better place.
MacAskill has helped to popularize effective altruism and has written several books on the subject. He is also the co-founder of Giving What We Can and the founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism. His work has been influential in the effective altruism movement, which has grown in popularity in recent years.
MacAskill’s legacy is one of inspiring people to think more deeply about the world and their place in it. He has encouraged people to think about how their actions can have a positive impact on the world, and to focus on using their resources and talents to do the most good they can. His work has been influential in the effective altruism movement, and has helped to promote the idea that we all have a responsibility to make the world a better place.
MacAskill’s legacy is also one of challenging people to think about the long-term consequences of their actions, and to consider how their decisions today could affect future generations. He has argued that we have a moral obligation to think about the future, and to ensure that our actions are sustainable and beneficial for future generations. His work has been influential in promoting the idea of intergenerational justice, and has encouraged people to think more deeply about their responsibility to future generations.
William MacAskill’s legacy is one of inspiring people to think more deeply about the world and their place in it. His work has been influential in promoting the idea of effective altruism, and has encouraged people to think about how their actions today could have a positive impact on the world. He has also been influential in promoting the idea of intergenerational justice, and has encouraged people to think about the long-term consequences of their actions. MacAskill’s legacy is one of inspiring people to think more deeply about the world, and to use their resources and talents to do the most good they can.