MORAL DUTIES TOWARDS FUTURE GENERATIONS: AN UBUNTU APPRAISAL

Abstract

What is the worth of future people, and do we owe moral duties to such individuals? Based on African ethics, i.e., the “Ubuntu” ethic, I seek not only to show the worth of people not yet born but also to consider duties of the poor and the state towards future generations. “Ubuntu” is a moral term that is common in sub-Saharan African states, particularly South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. A person who embodies “Ubuntu” is an individual who honours our human dignity and relations in society. The originality of this research emanates from my consideration of why people not yet born merit dignity. I demonstrate that future generations have dignity because they belong to the community, and they influence communal activities. Additionally, besides revealing why it is wrong for the state, particularly South Africa, which is my chief example, to discourage the poor from reproducing, I demonstrate why the thriving of future generations would be determined by the affordability of resources, e.g., land.