50 pages • 1 hour read
Toby OrdThe Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Precipice by Toby Ord examines existential risks such as nuclear war, climate change, and advanced technology that threaten humanity’s future, emphasizing a moral duty to mitigate these dangers and ensure long-term survival. Ord employs historic examples, philosophical analysis, and scientific insights to advocate for global cooperation and strategic measures to protect human potential. Sensitive topics include existential threats and human extinction.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Toby Ord's The Precipice is praised for its rigorous examination of existential risks, blending scientific analysis with moral philosophy to argue for humanity's long-term survival. Readers appreciate its clarity and urgency but some criticize its speculative scenarios as overly dramatic. Overall, it's a thought-provoking call to action.
Who Should Read The Precipice?
The ideal reader for Toby Ord’s The Precipice is someone deeply interested in existential risks, future studies, and ethical considerations. Comparable works include Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens. They likely appreciate detailed analyses and interdisciplinary approaches to humanity's long-term survival and ethical responsibilities.
Recommended
Reading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Philosophy
Politics / Government
Climate Change
Values/Ideas: Science & Technology
Life/Time: The Future
Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger