Person
Every book Thomas Moynihan recommended on podcasts
Thomas Moynihan appears on Modern Wisdom to discuss the history of existential risk, long-termism, and the philosophical implications of human survival. During the episode, Thomas brings up Derek Parfit's influential 1980s work 'Reasons and Persons,' highlighting its voluminous, meticulous tone and its detailed engagement with complex ethical philosophy to explain arguments surrounding the asymmetry of human extinction. Thomas also examines Toby Ord's book 'The Precipice,' identifying it as a foundational text for contemporary long-termism and existential risk studies. Through these references, Thomas maps out the intellectual lineage of how humanity evaluates its own future, weighing distant catastrophes and moral obligations to future generations. His discussion centers on rigorous academic frameworks, ethical theory, and the philosophical weight of safeguarding civilization against terminal threats. Thomas demonstrates how specialized philosophical literature frames our modern understanding of existential dangers and shapes the nascent field of long-termist thought, providing listeners with a clear view of the texts that define humanity's most consequential long-range dilemmas.
Books recommended by Thomas Moynihan
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Reasons and Persons
Reasons and Persons by Derek Parfit is a landmark work of moral philosophy that explores personal identity, rationality, and population ethics, challenging conventional ideas about what it means to be an individual.
Discussed“so in the in the 80s uh he wrote this uh book called reasons and persons uh and it's you know this kind of voluminous uh meticulous tone of uh you know kind of um uh very detailed ethical philosophy”
Where to get it
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The Precipice
The Precipice by Toby Ord is a rigorous philosophical and scientific assessment of existential risks that threaten the future survival of human civilization.
Discussed“and i i the precipice toby also precipice is kind of the the um i guess the founding uh text of this”
Where to get it
Books Thomas Moynihan wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| A History Of Existential Risk - Thomas Moynihan - #306 | Modern Wisdom | 2021-04-10 | 3 |
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“yes so i i often get this when uh people uh read my book they they uh are surprised that um it has this well it attempts it attempts to have this this hopeful message”