Emma Curran (Department of Philosophy, Oxford): 'Leaving the Present Behind'
Abstract: Philosophers have recently argued that using our resources to tend to those living in the very far future will bring about the most goodness or impartial, agent-neutral value. In this paper I sketch a very simple argument to the effect that even if these philosophers are correct, we still have at least a pro tanto moral reason to prioritise the claims of those contemporaneous with us. This moral reason, I suggest, is one of fairness. By turning our attention to future people, we risk leaving the present behind.
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Workshop in Moral Philosophy Convenor: David Owens
