The moral foundations of progress

Abstract

This work explores whether perpetual economic growth is compatible with sustaining plural moral values, especially in light of historical evidence indicating a correlation between economic growth and progress in various values, such as human well-being, happiness, and opportunities. The author examines arguments for and against the growth imperative, considering the role of technology and material abundance in shaping moral values. The work also delves into the relationship between economic growth and existential risks, particularly the possibility of a trade-off between sustainability and accelerated growth. The author encourages further research on identifying tractable avenues for progress and robustly arguing for foundational assumptions, defining operationalizations of key concepts, and setting and enforcing epistemic norms. – AI-generated abstract.