The Paradox of Future Individuals Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key vocabulary and concepts from Gregory S. Kavka's 'The Paradox of Future Individuals'.

Gregory S. Kavka

A philosopher who raised questions about our moral relations to future generations, given the contingencies of our existence.

Precariousness of Origin

The idea that our existence is dependent on specific circumstances to the point that any change would mean someone else would have been conceived.

Argument against moral obligation to future generations

The argument that we have no moral obligation to future generations to promote their well-being because any policy that affects conception influences who exists.

Obligation Principle

An obligation to choose act A rather than alternative B only if choosing B would make some particular person worse off than if one had chosen A.

Welfarism

The belief that morality is solely concerned with the protection and promotion of the well-being of human individuals.

Wronging someone without harming them

Acting wrongly by violating someone's rights, even if it promotes their interests on balance.

Restricted Life

A life that is significantly deficient in one or more of the major respects that generally make human lives valuable and worth living.

Misuse of Reproductive Powers

Exploiting a position of control over life to extract an unfair price for the exercise of those powers.

Immoral Extortion

The idea that potential recipients of a benefit are not entitled to receive it, and the provider has not earned the position of control over it, leading to the extortion of a high price.