In my setup, I could say ∫∞t=0MtNtu(ct)e−ρtdt≈∫∞t=TMtNtu(ct)e−ρtdt for some large T; ie, generations 0 to T−1 contribute basically nothing to total social utility . But I don’t think this captures longtermism, because this is consistent with the social planner allocating no resources to safety work (and all resources to consumption of the current generation); the condition puts no constraints on L∗. In other words, this condition only matches the first of three criteria that Will lists:
(i) Those who live at future times matter just as much, morally, as those who live today;
(ii) Society currently privileges those who live today above those who will live in the future; and
(iii) We should take action to rectify that, and help ensure the long-run future goes well.
Interesting—defining longtermism as rectifying future disprivelege. This is different from what I was trying to model. Honestly, it seems different from all the other definitions. Is this the sort of longtermism that you want to model?
If I was trying to model this, I would want to make reference to a baseline level of disparity, given inaction, and then consider how a (possibly causal) intervention could improve that.
Do you think Will’s three criteria are inconsistent with the informal definition I used in the OP (“what most matters about our actions is their very long term effects”)?
In my setup, I could say ∫∞t=0MtNtu(ct)e−ρtdt≈∫∞t=TMtNtu(ct)e−ρtdt for some large T; ie, generations 0 to T−1 contribute basically nothing to total social utility . But I don’t think this captures longtermism, because this is consistent with the social planner allocating no resources to safety work (and all resources to consumption of the current generation); the condition puts no constraints on L∗. In other words, this condition only matches the first of three criteria that Will lists:
Interesting—defining longtermism as rectifying future disprivelege. This is different from what I was trying to model. Honestly, it seems different from all the other definitions. Is this the sort of longtermism that you want to model?
If I was trying to model this, I would want to make reference to a baseline level of disparity, given inaction, and then consider how a (possibly causal) intervention could improve that.
Do you think Will’s three criteria are inconsistent with the informal definition I used in the OP (“what most matters about our actions is their very long term effects”)?
Not inconsistent, but I think Will’s criteria are just one of many possible reasons that this might be the case.