The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity by Toby Ord

Abstract

Toby Ord ultimately presents the argument that humans need to prepare for the dangers associated with potentially catastrophic existential threats. According to Ord, humanity precariously sits at the precipice of existential devastation where multiple known possibilities, and presumably just as many unknown ones, appear to possess the capability to cause tremendous damage. In order to build a defense, Ord believes that international human populations and the governments connected therewith should be vigilant and construct as many contingency plans as are possible to counter the threats that could lead to the near or even absolute extinction of both humanity and possibly all of the world’s living organisms.