Workshop: Relational Moral Theory and the Future
- Date: 5-7 October 2023, 2023
- Location: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Organizers: Valeska Martin and Kirsten Meyer (Institut für Philosophie – HU Berlin)
How to conceptualize moral obligations to future generations is still an unresolved question and a pressing challenge to person-affecting moral theory. Accelerating climate change and increasing resource scarcity add to the practical importance of finding plausible answers. Relational moral theory – such as versions of moral contractualism – might open the space for new insights, provide options to settle some of these puzzles and gain a new perspective on the future. At this workshop, we therefore aim at further exploring relational perspectives on future generations. Topic will include, for example: (How) can we account for moral obligations to future generations in relational terms? How do we relate to future people? Is it a relation of reciprocity, respect, a one-sided responsibility? Do we relate to future persons as individuals, as types, as abstract persons? Can moral contractualism or other complaints-based views get around or solve the non-identity problem? Should relational future ethics adopt a pluralist account of the reasons involved? What does a relational perspective imply for long-termism?
Speakers:
- Gustaf Arrhenius, Institute for Futures Studies (IFFS) / Stockholm University
- Tim Henning, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
- Joe Horton, University College London
- Anja Karnein, Binghamton University
- Rahul Kumar, Queen’s University
- Kritika Maheshwari, Delft University of Technology & Richard Endörfer, University of Gothenburg
- Valeska Martin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Kirsten Meyer, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Jay Wallace, University of California, Berkeley
Program and Talks:
The program can be downloaded here: Workshop Program.
As space is limited, registration is required. The workshop will take place in person; digital participation is not possible. If you would like to attend please send an e-mail to futureconf.philosophy@hu-berlin.de
The deadline for registration is September 15, 2023.