What is Intergenerational Justice?

“There are few more important issues than intergenerational justice. Axel Gosseries’s wonderfully clear book provides an invaluable map of this complex terrain, which ranges from the duties we have toward our successors to mitigate climate change, to the puzzles raised by appeals to intergenerational fairness when dealing with a pandemic, and to the fact that we make decisions for the sake of people who do not yet exist and thus do not have a say over what we do on their behalf. A must read.”
Cecile Fabre, All Souls College, University of Oxford

“A much-needed book written with care and lucidity. Gosseries demystifies philosophical thinking about intergenerational justice, showing its importance for next steps in the fight against injustice. A compelling read for anyone who cares about what we owe to future people.”
Catriona McKinnon, University of Exeter

“Using very clear language capable of simplifying such a complex topic, [Axel Gosseries] manages to make this book on future generations and justice accessible both to those with a philosophical background and to those without. The book is praiseworthy in more respects than I could manage to convey with a review …”
Zeitschrift für Ethik und Moralphilosophie

“Axel Gosseries takes stock of the intergenerational justice research with mastery, precision and clarity, also pointing to future research directions … A major analytical rigour is combined with writing smoothness that makes for pleasant reading. I think anyone interested in intergenerational justice can benefit significantly from this book.”
Fausto Corvino, Notizie di Politeia

“[A] splendid book. It provides an introduction to the topic of intergenerational justice that is accessible and an excellent guide to someone unfamiliar with the issues. At the same time it has much of interest to those who are well versed in these debates. It has rich and illuminating discussions of, among other things, what principles of justice should govern how people treat future generations, environmental sustainability, climate change, and the implications of our impacts on future people for ideals of democratic legitimacy and normative theorizing about institutional design.”
Simon Caney, Journal of Practical Ethics

“[A] concise and tightly argued overview of the vexing issues intergenerational justice raises, particularly when we are dealing with nonoverlapping birth cohorts. … [A]n ideal introduction for those who wish to learn about the topic for the first time but also a rewarding read for well-acquainted readers.”
Goran Duus-Otterstrom, Journal of Practical Ethics