> longtermism is bad philosophy and that, if taken literally, it could be used to “justify” a wide range of extreme actions.
Isn't that the danger of ANY philosophy or religion? I don't buy that "longtermism" itself is a dangerous mission any more than anything else. If people take extreme, evil actions in the name of X religion, it should not invalidate that religion. I never heard of longtermism, but it seems to be based on sacrificing now and planning for the future generations. Sounds reasonable to me. That is what civilizations have always done. Cathedrals are not built for this generation, but for the next.