Why should we care about future generations?
Uploaded by Rodianne on May 15, 2007
Humankind today has enormous power that it will affect the future generations, be it better off as well as worse off. There are three main documents which outline our responsibility towards future generations. These are Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the Convention of Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Two factors bring about modern ethical awareness for future generations. Firstly, it is obvious that technological power has altered the nature of human activity. It has influenced the lives of those that are living today, and will influence even more the generations to come. Secondly, interrelatedness has always existed, but it is only now that we are experiencing it with its complexities. This discovery of interrelation nudges and urges us to find a way to unite.
Not everyone agrees to sacrifice something for the comfort of generations to come. Instead they say ‘’What have future generations ever done for me?’’ and they have a point. Future generations can never give anything back to them and therefore it does not seem to be worth it.
Some also claim that since unborn generations are distant in time we might not be able to know exactly what their primary needs are. Example, saving a forest now might not be worth it in the future as jobs are needed to provide a better life. It is also uncertain whether there will be any future generations. Therefore, giving rise to serious doubts, they conclude that we ought to do nothing for them.
Being ‘’downstream’’ to us unborn generations are disadvantaged. Their choices have to be taken by their past generations. Another disadvantage is that they have no voice since they do not exist. Therefore, whatever the present generation says goes, as there is no one to argue with, they have no representatives. Yet since society helps the handicapped or the weaker members, future generations are also classified as disadvantaged, therefore, they must be considered as an equal to us, in spite of their disability. Since all resources belong to all generations, these resources were handed down to us, and so we too have to hand them down to the next generation. We have the responsibility to share common heritage with the unborn generations.
Moral theories portray present generation’s responsibility towards future ones. The Deontological approach is supported by Hans Jonas who recommends that the Kantian Categorical Imperative should be broadened. He believes that ‘’In your present choices, include...