Who Is William MacAskill? Age, Biography and Wiki
William MacAskill was born on March 24, 1987, making him 38 years old in 2025. He is a prominent Scottish philosopher and ethicist known for his work in Effective Altruism and his contributions to moral philosophy. MacAskill is a co-founder of the Centre for Effective Altruism and has gained worldwide recognition for his advocacy in making a positive impact through rational decision-making.
| Occupation | Philosophers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1987 |
| Age | 38 Years |
| Birth Place | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country |
Popularity
William MacAskill's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, William MacAskill's physical statistics are as follows:
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
- Weight: Around 160 pounds (73 kg)
- Measurements: Exact body measurements are not publicly available, but he maintains an academic and professional appearance in public engagements.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
William MacAskill is quite private when it comes to his personal life. As of 2025, there is no publicly available information regarding his relationship status, whether he has a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. His focus primarily remains on his academic pursuits and philanthropic endeavors.
MacAskill (born Crouch) argued that men should consider changing their last names when they get married. He and his now ex-wife, Amanda Askell, changed their last name to "MacAskill", her maternal grandmother's maiden name. MacAskill and his former wife authored articles together on topics of ethical debate before their separation in 2015 and later divorce.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, William MacAskill's estimated net worth is around $500,000 to $1 million. His income primarily comes from his work as a philosopher, author, and speaker, as well as his involvement in various organizations and initiatives within the effective altruism movement.
In 2009, MacAskill and fellow Oxford graduate student Toby Ord co-founded the organisation Giving What We Can to encourage people to pledge to donate 10% of their income to charities "that you sincerely believe to be among the most effective at improving the lives of others".
He co-founded the Centre for Effective Altruism in 2011 as an umbrella organisation of Giving What We Can and 80,000 Hours, which he co-founded with Benjamin Todd, to provide advice on how to use one's career to do the most good in the world. In 2018, MacAskill gave a TED talk on effective altruism at the TED conference in Vancouver.
Career, Business and Investments
MacAskill's career has bloomed since he graduated from the University of Edinburgh. He is renowned for his philosophical writings, including his widely acclaimed book, "Doing Good Better," which has inspired many in the realm of ethical decision-making. In addition to his role at the Centre for Effective Altruism, he is also involved with other organizations promoting effective altruism, including 80,000 Hours and Giving What We Can.
MacAskill has shown a keen interest in investing for social good, with a focus on funding projects and charities that align with his ethical beliefs. His ventures often emphasize the maximization of positive outcomes from donations and investments.
He was associated with Sam Bankman-Fried for a number of years and reportedly dismissed claims that Bankman-Fried was engaging in inappropriate conduct as a "he said-she said" during an effort in 2018 to oust Bankman-Fried from control of the now-failed trading firm Alameda Research.
He was a member of the FTX Future Fund, which granted $160 million to effective altruism causes in 2022, including $33 million to organizations directly connected to MacAskill. Following the bankruptcy of FTX, MacAskill and the rest of the team resigned from the fund.
Social Network
William MacAskill engages with a wide audience through various social media platforms. He is active on:
- Twitter: Sharing insights on philosophy, ethics, and personal thoughts.
- LinkedIn: Networking with professionals in academia and the nonprofit sector.
- Podcast & Public Speaking: Participating in discussions and debates, further disseminating his views on effective altruism.
In 2022, as tech magnate Elon Musk sought funding for his purchase of Twitter, MacAskill liaised between Musk and Bankman-Fried. Musk and MacAskill were previously acquainted; Musk described What We Owe the Future as "a close match for my philosophy".
MacAskill contacted Musk to arrange a conversation with Bankman-Fried, describing him as "my collaborator". Ultimately, Bankman-Fried, whose corporate ventures were facing a case, United States v. Bankman-Fried, did not participate in the acquisition.
Education
William MacAskill attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied philosophy and graduated with a degree that ignited his passion for ethical considerations in everyday decision-making. He later pursued postgraduate studies at Oxford University, further cementing his expertise and authority in the field of philosophy and ethics.
William David MacAskill (' Crouch'''; born 24 March 1987) is a Scottish philosopher and author, as well as one of the originators of the effective altruism movement.
He was a Research Fellow at the Global Priorities Institute at the University of Oxford, co-founded Giving What We Can, the Centre for Effective Altruism and 80,000 Hours, and is the author of Doing Good Better (2015) and What We Owe the Future (2022), and the co-author of Moral Uncertainty (2020).
