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Time Bias and Altruism – Leora Urim Sung (University College London)

We are typically near-future biased, being more concerned with our near future than our distant future. This near-future bias can be directed at others too, being more concerned with their near future than their distant future. In this paper, I argue that, because we discount the future in this way, beyond a certain point in time, we morally ought to be more concerned with the present well- being of others than with the well-being of our distant future selves. It follows that we morally ought to sacrifice…

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Watch the Atkinson Memorial Lecture – 9 June 2023

The Atkinson Memorial Lecture is an annual distinguished lecture series established in 2018 in memory of Professor Sir Tony Atkinson, jointly by the Global Priorities Institute (GPI) and the Department of Economics. The aim is to encourage research among academic economists on topics related to global prioritisation – using evidence and reason to figure out the most effective ways to improve the world. This year, we are delighted to have Christian Gollier, the Executive Director of the Toulouse School of Economics (TSE), deliver the Atkinson Memorial Lecture. The Atkinson Memorial lecture is organised in conjunction with the Parfit Memorial lecture.

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Watch the Parfit Memorial Lecture – 13 June 2023

The Parfit Memorial Lecture is an annual distinguished lecture series established by the Global Priorities Institute (GPI) in memory of Professor Derek Parfit. The aim is to encourage research among academic philosophers on topics related to global priorities research – using evidence and reason to figure out the most effective ways to improve the world. This year, we are delighted to have Katie Steele deliver the Parfit Memorial Lecture. The Parfit Memorial lecture is organised in conjunction with the Atkinson Memorial lecture.

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Atkinson Memorial Lecture – 9 June 2023

The Atkinson Memorial Lecture is an annual distinguished lecture series established in 2018 in memory of Professor Sir Tony Atkinson, jointly by the Global Priorities Institute (GPI) and the Department of Economics. The aim is to encourage research among academic economists on topics related to global prioritisation – using evidence and reason to figure out the most effective ways to improve the world. This year, we are delighted to have Christian Gollier, the Executive Director of the Toulouse School of Economics (TSE), deliver the Atkinson Memorial Lecture. The Atkinson Memorial lecture is organised in conjunction with the Parfit Memorial lecture.

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Summary: Longtermist institutional reform (Tyler M. John and William MacAskill)

Political decisions can have lasting effects on the lives and wellbeing of future generations. Yet political institutions tend to make short-term decisions with only the current generation – or even just the current election cycle – in mind. In “longtermist institutional reform”, Tyler M. John and William MacAskill identify the causes of short-termism in government and give four recommendations…

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Summary: Do not go gentle: why the Asymmetry does not support anti-natalism (Andreas Mogensen)

Many people believe that it makes the world worse to create miserable lives, but that it doesn’t make the world better to create happy lives. This is one way of expressing “the Asymmetry” in population ethics. If we go on creating new people, many will be happy, but some will be unhappy. If we accept the Asymmetry, the continued existence of humanity therefore involves…

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Vacancy: Administrative Assistant

Vacancy: Administrative Assistant Applications for this role are now closed. Applications are invited for the role of Administrative Assistant at the Global Priorities Institute (GPI), an interdisciplinary research centre at the University of Oxford. The post is for a fixed term of 3 years from the start date. The administrative assistant will join GPI’s operations

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