Topic > How we influence future generations today

One of the least controversial ideas in our culture is “resource conservation”: the idea that we should prioritize conserving resources for future generations so as not to leave them with nothing. This obviously implies that there is no conflict or scarcity between our consumption of resources and future generations. But going further, there is an incredible harmony between consumption and future consumption, between present generations and future generations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay We care about our family, our friends, our neighbors, our community, and our country, and we may also care about current environmental issues. When we build museums and sports facilities we already contemplate people who do not exist because these structures represent a legacy for the future. We also donate to charities to help people we don't know. Some cultures care about ancestors, pass down stories, and live a life that makes them proud. We could extend this concept to caring for our descendants so that they can be proud that we have passed on to a prosperous planet. This quality of future life is also influenced by the choice, or lack of choice, of demographic policies. Although interconnected, environmental and population policies are separate factors. We could destroy the environment without increasing population, and we could, perhaps unrealistically but at least in principle, pursue population policies that make the world uncomfortably crowded within the limits set by ecology. Our lifestyle could even, although less likely, lead to a drastic decrease in the population which would make life difficult for the survivors by undermining their economy. In any case, the moral duty not to impose on future generations the difficulties caused by demographic problems is real. Our broad cultural policy choices impact future people. Our ability to develop a fair and functioning world economy obviously has a major impact on future living standards. The same goes for technology. But quality of life is not just a question of material goods. The arts and sciences are important spiritual resources for any culture; political and legal institutions and moral values ​​are even more crucial. In other words, barring a disaster, the Earth will remain habitable for about a billion years and many millions of future generations could come after us. Most of humanity's potential lies in the future. There are actions we could take today that could have a significant impact on these future generations. For example, if there were a nuclear war that would end civilization, then the future we prepare for will never happen. From the perspective of making a difference, the expected impact of our actions today on the distant future may be most important. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Personalize essay Ultimately, future individuals differ from current individuals only in one property: the time in which they live. From an impartial perspective, the fact that we live in a certain time does not give this time any special or ethical importance. If we base activism on concern for the well-being of others, whether these “others” live in the distant future or are currently suffering should not make a major difference. Instead, we should persist in our common-sense view that we have a moral responsibility to the people who will live in the future and that, unless..