Meaning in Life and the Future of Humanity

According to scientists and philosophers studying existential risk, the difference in possible outcomes for our species is quite stark. On the one hand, our species could go extinct in the next few centuries. On the other hand, our species could survive for millions of more years into the future. Yet what exactly is at stake in humanitys survival? That is the question at the heart of this research project. Some philosophers say that the world goes impartially better when it is filled with more happy lives. Others say that we should lament extinction because it represents the snuffing out of things we justifiably care about. This project examines two additional (and less commonly given) answers: that our species, like a talented youth, possesses great untapped potential, which it would be tragic not to explore and develop, and that our species history is mired in evil which calls for resolution something we have arguably made progress toward but not yet achieved. The project further examines how these ideas relate to the theme of meaning in life. For many people, the existence and flourishing of future generations is personally meaningful. Is this reasonable? If so, why should it matter to them as individuals that future persons, far removed from them in time and space, flourish? What is the relationship between such impartial value and personal meaning?

What is at stake in human survival? Does it matter whether humanity survives the coming century and beyond? If so, why? One popular type of answer is broadly utilitarian in inspiration. It says that what is at stake in the future is more welfare, i.e., more good lives. Since there could realistically be far more people living in the future than have existed so far in human history, the importance of safeguarding the existence of future generations is correspondingly great. The present project explored an alternative to this type of utilitarian answer. The guiding idea was that concerns about meaningfulness provide a useful clue for beginning to articulate a compelling alternative.