Time Schedule:
Stephen M. Gardiner
PHIL 540
Seattle Campus
Class description
“Future Generations” We will discuss questions such as: Is it appropriate to adopt a positive social discount rate for future generations, as economists typically do? Does the overlap of generations provide the basis for intergenerational justice? Should we understand intergenerational justice from behind a Rawlsian veil of ignorance? Is there a transgenerational community, and is it membership in such a community that justifies obligations to future people? Can we harm future people if we also thereby bring them into existence? We will discuss the views of theorists such as David Gauthier, Derek Parfit, Avner de-Shalit and John Rawls.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
