What we owe the past

Abstract

This article argues that we have ethical obligations not only to future generations, but also to people in the past. It makes the case that past generations deserve to have their preferences and values respected, even if they are no longer alive. The article draws on the concept of “temporal discounting” to suggest that we often give more weight to our own current values and preferences than to those of our past selves. It is also argued that respecting past values is a form of “acausal trade” that benefits future generations by promoting a sense of intergenerational cooperation. The author argues that, while respecting past values may not be essential for achieving maximum utility, it may be a good way to encourage future generations to respect the values of present generations. – AI-generated abstract.