A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Long-term Future and Non-anthropocentric Value
Authors: Sivula, Oskari
Publisher: Brill Academic Publishers
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Journal of Moral Philosophy
Journal name in source: Journal of Moral Philosophy
ISSN: 1740-4681
eISSN: 1745-5243
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/17455243-20254639
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1163/17455243-20254639
Abstract
Longtermism, the view that emphasizes the importance of the long-term consequences of our actions, has predominantly been focused on humans. Gary O'Brien (2024) argues that this is a mistake and instead, longtermism should be animal inclusive. While I find merit in O'Brien's core argument, I offer critiques to certain aspects of it in this article. Moreover, in the spirit of extending the sphere of moral considerability, I believe that we should also consider longtermism for environmental values more widely. This article proposes a non-anthropocentric approach to longtermism that acknowledges not only sentient animals but also ecological systems and all forms of life to invoke a more diverse discussion about longtermism. It also explores potentially effective interventions that such an extended perspective might yield.
Longtermism, the view that emphasizes the importance of the long-term consequences of our actions, has predominantly been focused on humans. Gary O'Brien (2024) argues that this is a mistake and instead, longtermism should be animal inclusive. While I find merit in O'Brien's core argument, I offer critiques to certain aspects of it in this article. Moreover, in the spirit of extending the sphere of moral considerability, I believe that we should also consider longtermism for environmental values more widely. This article proposes a non-anthropocentric approach to longtermism that acknowledges not only sentient animals but also ecological systems and all forms of life to invoke a more diverse discussion about longtermism. It also explores potentially effective interventions that such an extended perspective might yield.
UTU Research Portal