TOWARDS A RELATIONAL THEORY OF INTERGENERATIONAL ETHICS

Abstract

Summary The growing moral concern for unborn generations points to the need of an adequate ethical theory. The aim of our study is to lay down the groundwork for an ethical theory suited to express adequately today's concern for posterity. We feel that the ethical theories adopted so far are not fully equipped to tackle this social issue. Convinced that an adequate approach to the problem under study needs a solid metaphysical basis, we are therefore attempting to construct an intergenerational ethical theory based on the philosophical insights of process thought which sees reality as interrelated and interdependent. Since humanity, nature and God are all involved in the future generations issue, we redefine these notions from a relational standpoint. Humanity is conceived of as indivisibly one; past, present, and future generations form one family, the community of mankind. Moreover, humanity is inseparably linked with nature, and God is actively involved in history, luring humanity to higher levels of morality. Process ethics also offers the possibility of extending the temporal dimension to mankind as a whole in the moral evaluation of human activity, since present decisions and actions affect the far distant future. The relational ethical theory presents another advantage: the concepts of responsibility, common good and social justice are redefined from a broader perspective, namely that of the entire community of mankind. On the basis of these considerations, the relational theory of intergenerational ethics leads us to the following conclusion: given that there will be future generations and that these will be members of the community of mankind which is the subject of collective rights, unborn generations have rights which imply responsibilities on our part.