Philosophy is a key component of the Dune series and this element of the story is at it’s peak in God Emperor of Dune. The book covers both ethical and political philosophy as well as religious philosophy; just to name a few! The idea of Effective Altruism matches well with the plans of the God Emperor and this will be the philosophical idea I will discuss regarding God Emperor of Dune.

Effective altruism is a philosophical idea regarding how individuals should act in such a manner to maximize the good they can do in the world. I think the modern application of effective altruism has been somewhat effective in promoting a variety of charities in the modern day, but for this page I will be focusing on the more extreme example of effective altruism seen in the character of Leto II in God Emperor of Dune.

Leto’s choice to become a worm man was not without purpose. His prescience allowed him to see a future that would guarantee the survival of mankind. He thus acts in ways that guarantee the survival of mankind but simultaneously he becomes a tyrant that has total control of humanity. His plan was to contain humanity within a strict system of bureaucracy. Nothing happened without the God Emperor Knowing about it. Leto II essentially decided that the survival of humanity was worth it whatever the cost. Leto is in a broad sense preforming effective altruism. He is maximizing the good by using his power of prescience to let humanity branch out and last forever.