Advanced Technology Paths to Intergenerational Justice
(2010) p.39-47- Abstract
- Traditionally, the green narrative has rejected “big science” in favour of small-scale solutions, local knowledge, and the development of “soft” or “intermediate” technologies. In a similar vein, concern for future generations is often used to propose dramatic reductions in energy- and material flows, as well as the adoption of a more frugal lifestyle thought to be “sustainable”. Contrary to this paradigmatic viewpoint, I argue that not only would such green visions be inherently unsustainable but the transition phase would in itself require enormous sacrifices and most likely lead to the violation of basic human rights. Instead, by assessing our own historical situation through the ethical lens of hypothetical contractualism, it is... (More)
- Traditionally, the green narrative has rejected “big science” in favour of small-scale solutions, local knowledge, and the development of “soft” or “intermediate” technologies. In a similar vein, concern for future generations is often used to propose dramatic reductions in energy- and material flows, as well as the adoption of a more frugal lifestyle thought to be “sustainable”. Contrary to this paradigmatic viewpoint, I argue that not only would such green visions be inherently unsustainable but the transition phase would in itself require enormous sacrifices and most likely lead to the violation of basic human rights. Instead, by assessing our own historical situation through the ethical lens of hypothetical contractualism, it is suggested that the interest of future generations is best served by rapid global political integration and an aggressive research agenda aimed at achieving climate stability through the innovation of new energy sources (such as nuclear fusion). It is further argued that we presently are living through a unique “window of opportunity” in which idealism and technological optimism are both urgently needed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/1591771
- author
- Karlsson, Rasmus LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2010
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- intergenerational justice, contractualism, sustainable development, innovation, technology
- host publication
- Managing Environmental Justice
- editor
- Pavlich, Dennis
- pages
- 39 - 47
- publisher
- Rodopi
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85164783162
- ISBN
- 978-90-420-2937-8
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 2b519a7a-261d-483e-b82d-71a2dbf550c4 (old id 1591771)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-04 10:40:34
- date last changed
- 2023-09-25 08:07:35
@inbook{2b519a7a-261d-483e-b82d-71a2dbf550c4,
abstract = {{Traditionally, the green narrative has rejected “big science” in favour of small-scale solutions, local knowledge, and the development of “soft” or “intermediate” technologies. In a similar vein, concern for future generations is often used to propose dramatic reductions in energy- and material flows, as well as the adoption of a more frugal lifestyle thought to be “sustainable”. Contrary to this paradigmatic viewpoint, I argue that not only would such green visions be inherently unsustainable but the transition phase would in itself require enormous sacrifices and most likely lead to the violation of basic human rights. Instead, by assessing our own historical situation through the ethical lens of hypothetical contractualism, it is suggested that the interest of future generations is best served by rapid global political integration and an aggressive research agenda aimed at achieving climate stability through the innovation of new energy sources (such as nuclear fusion). It is further argued that we presently are living through a unique “window of opportunity” in which idealism and technological optimism are both urgently needed.}},
author = {{Karlsson, Rasmus}},
booktitle = {{Managing Environmental Justice}},
editor = {{Pavlich, Dennis}},
isbn = {{978-90-420-2937-8}},
keywords = {{intergenerational justice; contractualism; sustainable development; innovation; technology}},
language = {{eng}},
pages = {{39--47}},
publisher = {{Rodopi}},
title = {{Advanced Technology Paths to Intergenerational Justice}},
year = {{2010}},
}