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Philosophical Aspects of 500-Year Planning

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  • B E Tonn

    (Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory†, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA)

Abstract

A class of environmental problems, termed 500-year problems, poses significant threats to the world's societies. In 500-year planning there is a need for a sound philosophical foundation to guide the development of appropriate methods which analyze problems that cover very long time periods and that involve large uncertainties. In this paper philosophical aspects of 500-year planning, related to determining whether present generations are meeting their obligations to future generations, are addressed. Topics discussed include the treatment of future populations (as identifiable individuals or as enumerable groups) and the appropriate base for 500-year planning (utilitarianism or social contract theory). Adopting Rawls's concepts of the original position and of the veil of ignorance, a social contract is developed that guarantees the possibility of existence for all potential individuals, and sets limits on the risks that current and future populations might endure as a result of their ancestors' abuse of the environment. The specifics of the contract represent rational criteria upon which to base 500-year planning activities.

Suggested Citation

  • B E Tonn, 1988. "Philosophical Aspects of 500-Year Planning," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 20(11), pages 1507-1522, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:20:y:1988:i:11:p:1507-1522
    DOI: 10.1068/a201507
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aaron Wildavsky, 1982. "Pollution as Moral Coercion: Culture, Risk Perception, and Libertarian Values," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 2(1), pages 305-333, Spring.
    2. Bruce Headey & Elsie Holmström & Alexander Wearing, 1984. "The impact of life events and changes in domain satisfactions on well-being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 203-227, October.
    3. Barber, Benjamin R., 1975. "Justifying Justice: Problems of Psychology, Measurement, and Politics in Rawls," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 69(2), pages 663-674, June.
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