Why Worry About Future Generations?

Samuel Scheffler's Why Worry About Future Generations? examines our intrinsic investment in the well-being of future generations and the values that drive this concern.

In Why Worry About Future Generations?, Samuel Scheffler explores the profound connection we have with future generations and why their well-being matters to us. He argues that our attachments and values are deeply rooted in a desire for the continuity of human life. This desire pushes us to consider not only our own lives but also the lives of those who will come after us, prompting a reflection on the moral implications of our actions today. Scheffler challenges the notion that concern for future generations is solely a question of moral responsibility, suggesting instead that our motivations are often more complex and intertwined with our existing values.

The author delves into the implications of our actions on future generations, particularly in the context of pressing global issues like climate change. He posits that while we may not have a fully developed framework for understanding the value of human continuity, we are nonetheless deeply invested in ensuring that the chain of generations continues under favorable conditions. This perspective invites readers to rethink their relationship with time and the legacy they leave behind, emphasizing that our attachments to the present can shape our commitment to the future.

Ultimately, Why Worry About Future Generations? encourages a more nuanced understanding of our responsibilities towards those who will inherit the world we create. By recognizing that our concern for the future is rooted in our values and attachments, Scheffler offers a compelling argument for why we should care about the fate of humanity beyond our own lifetimes.