Rutger Bregman on Moral Ambition, Activism, and Science Across the 2020s

Overview

Rutger Bregman, historian and author of Moral Ambition, is interviewed about translating moral conviction into practical impact. The discussion traverses historical change, contemporary activism, and how pragmatic strategy can steer talent away from high‑pressure but low‑impact careers toward work that solves global problems. The episode also branches into three science features: an evolutionary explanation for same‑sex behavior in primates, a large UK Biobank study on longevity driven by small daily lifestyle tweaks, and a provocative idea about removing carbon by sinking wood into the Arctic Ocean. The host framing emphasizes long term commitment, coalition building, and the collision of moral aspiration with political reality.

Key Themes

• Moral ambition and historical change
• Changing systems through reframed arguments
• The limits and opportunities of activism and philanthropy
• Biology and behavior in evolution and society
• Small lifestyle changes and population health effects
• Innovations, risks, and governance for climate interventions

Segments

• Historical change makers and abolitionism
• Strategic reform and political power in conservative and liberal movements
• The School for Moral Ambition and practical fellowships
• Same‑sex behavior in primates and evolutionary theory
• Longevity science from the UK Biobank
• Carbon removal debates and ecological risks

The program connects moral philosophy with empirical science, illustrating how ambitious ideas can translate into measurable social and environmental outcomes.