Intergenerational Justice

Ismailov Nurmagomed ORCID: 0000-0003-4935-4902 PhD in Philosophy Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation 125167, Russia, Moscow, Leningradsky Prospekt str., 49/2, office 0617 NOIsmailov@fa.ru Other publications by this author

Introduction This article is an addition and development of certain provisions set out by us in previous works ^{[4, 5, 6]}.

In recent decades, the philosophical sciences have been increasingly interested in the problem of justice in relations between generations. It also causes the problem of equality in relations between generations. These problems are interrelated and mutually dependent. It can be argued, not without reason, that in fact this is a two–pronged problem. And the issues related to this topic are considered in an inseparable unity.

Leading researchers of this problem define it as justice in relations between generations ^{[10, 12, 14, 15]}. We have no fundamental objections to this formulation. But we believe that it is more legitimate to talk about a fair attitude towards future generations.

The purpose of this work is to study various issues of the problem of justice in relations between generations. The UNESCO Declaration "On the Responsibility of Present Generations to Future Generations" (1997) includes among these issues such as the preservation of peace, the preservation of humanity, the preservation of life on earth, the preservation of the human genome and biological diversity, the creation of fair institutions, environmental protection, the preservation of cultural diversity in the world, the preservation of the common heritage of mankind. The Declaration explicitly proclaims the duty of current generations to "ensure comprehensive protection of the needs and interests of current and future generations" ^[17]. In our article we investigate this problem, considering it in the context of these issues. At the same time, more attention will be paid to those issues that will be of greater interest to us. It will also depend on which issues of the designated problem, in our opinion, are more relevant in the context of the realities of the modern world. This goal also determines the task of identifying the necessary conditions for achieving justice in these relations, as well as the task of investigating various interpretations of this problem.

Research methodology.

As a methodological basis for the study of this problem, we use, first of all, a materialistic understanding of history, exploring social phenomena, needs, interests and values of people in the context of the unity of various spheres of public life, from the point of view of the interdependence of social existence and public consciousness. We also use the principle of development, exploring this problem in change and development, we use the principle of historicism, that is, we try to identify the dynamics of the issues outlined here in relation to specific events of the epoch.

The results of the study.

If we talk about responsibility to future generations in terms of fair treatment, then the most important task of the current generation is to ensure and preserve peace. It seems that such a task should be considered fundamental. We believe that the fulfillment of this task is among the mandatory conditions for solving tasks to ensure justice and equality between generations. The unsolved nature of this task makes the possible solution of the remaining issues listed above extremely difficult.

The existence of the modern world community in many aspects is connected with the process of globalization. "The modern stage of human development is characterized by a rapid acceleration and high dynamism of international life with increased interconnectedness and interdependence of states and nations" ^{[8, p. 29]}. The process of globalization, which has positive and negative sides in terms of ensuring justice in international relations, containing objective and subjective aspects, but to a greater extent the ideology and policy of globalism, which is actually an attempt to create a unipolar world by the United States and its Western allies, cause opposition from those countries that do not want to fulfill the role of "pawns" on the chessboard of the collective West.

Currently, one can observe how the unipolar world that existed until recently, led by the United States and the collective West, is becoming multipolar. We consider such a process as objective, as an attempt by life at all costs to preserve itself and ensure the future of future generations, as an existential problem of the modern world.

If we consider this process in the context of the concept of sustainable development of society and ecophilosophical issues, we can observe the fact that the countries of the Western world have created projects to ensure sustainable development of society and solve environmental problems by limiting resource consumption, primarily by economically underdeveloped countries. It becomes clear that the desire of the latter to reach a high level of consumption of material goods, an attempt to approach the countries of the Western world in terms of consumption of such goods can turn into a global environmental catastrophe. However, the transition to sustainable development and the solution of global environmental problems remains an objective necessity for the world community. Akhmedova M.G. rightly points out that the ideas of sustainable development can be justified "only if they reflect the mass, public interests in the direction of creating conditions for sustainable development in all countries" ^{[2, p. 71]}.

T.V. Bespalova points out the obvious contradiction caused by the principle of "equal and fair human access to natural resources in conditions of their uneven distribution on the planet, which leads to violence in politics, wars for resources" ^{[3, p. 15]}. The solution of these problems requires the preservation of peace and collective efforts common to all mankind. However, it is attempts to solve these problems that lead to a clash of conflicting interests and can cause new wars in the struggle for resources.

Issues of environmental justice and intergenerational relations are difficult to assess unambiguously. Researchers in this field note difficulties in measuring possible risks, in determining the necessary measures to solve environmental problems and their possible consequences. "So, there is still no consensus in science about the permissibility of using insecticides, the need for genetic modification of agricultural plants, the role of man in climate change, etc. Accordingly, ... questions remain open about how to manage risks in these areas" ^{[11, 115]}.

The war for resources, for ensuring environmental justice can be observed both in international relations and in relations between various social groups within individual societies. Experts point to a reduction in racial discrimination in environmental issues. But they note with regret that the uneven distribution of environmental risks persists in individual societies. And as an example, they point to the burial of toxic waste in places where racial and national minorities live compactly, in places where people with low incomes, people with less political weight live ^{[11, 117-118]}.

Such phenomena can be regarded as environmental racism. "At the same time, not only bodily humiliation or violation of civil rights are perceived as injustice, but also the refusal to recognize the social value of discriminated groups" ^{[11, 117]}. Of course, these issues are very important, but we are primarily interested in the relationship between generations in the context of the problem of social justice. In this regard, we note that such discrimination against various social groups can negatively affect their offspring, their genetics.

If the problem of justice in relations between generations in conditions of scarcity of natural resources, water pollution and the atmosphere presupposes the task of preserving biological diversity in the animal and plant world, then to an even greater extent this problem should concern the preservation and survival of humans as a biological species. The technologies of modern society and predatory attitude towards nature contribute to the destruction of the natural habitat of man, favorable conditions for his existence, contribute to irretrievable losses in biological diversity and in the ecosystem.

Restoring and ensuring social justice in this matter requires the presence of appropriate institutions and organizations in society that would try to guarantee such provision. Decisions in this direction should be taken at the political level, including at the level of international treaties and international law, and should be legally secured. Considering the provisions referred to in ethics as "circumstances of justice", the well-known researcher of this problem A.V. Prokofiev believes that they allow solving, among others, such problems as "global distribution of resources, legal protection of non-human living beings, their groups and natural systems in which they are included" ^{[9, 76]}.

A.V. Prokofiev believes that every duty of justice corresponds to the right of a person whose interests are related to the performance of these duties. He considers it legitimate to force those persons who are responsible for ensuring this action to perform their duties by force ^{[9, 77]}. But such coercion presupposes the presence of political will and legal guarantees, i.e. the presence of appropriate political and legal institutions, oversight bodies.

In the modern world, a number of countries at the legislative level are already trying to solve issues related to justice and equality in relations between generations, trying to express the potential interests of people of the future. There are also social movements that pursue the goals of solving individual tasks in realizing the interests of future generations. [See 13, 16]. A.V. Prokofiev notes with regret that there are no special institutions in modern Russia, and such social movements are not yet available ^{[9, 79]}.

It seems that the presence of special institutions will allow modern society to establish a certain measure of assistance to future generations in various spheres of human activity. These bodies can establish a balance between the interests of current and future generations. This can be expressed, for example, in preserving the ecological balance of the planet, in refraining from excessive use of natural resources. The main role in this activity should belong to the State. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that various savings funds in favor of future generations do not allow obtaining a high income that increases "the possibilities of the economic system in the future, that is, by the time of the existence of future generations" ^{[10, 143]}.

There is an opinion that people tend to take care, first of all, of those who are closer to them in time. So, special institutions established by the state will have to take care not only of the interests of the next generation, which will replace the current one, but also of the interests of subsequent generations.

Some researchers believe that governments should not take care of the interests of future generations, based on any moral considerations. They should act in this direction strictly in accordance with their powers, which they are endowed with by their constituents. A.V. Prokofiev points out on this occasion: "If governments are limited in actions for the benefit of future generations by their representative character, then they, in any case, are not limited in fixing and demonstrating questionable from the point of view of from the point of view of the moral attitudes of the majority in order to correct them" ^{[10, 147]}.

We believe that society and the state, through special institutions, can afford funds and resources for the benefit of future generations, guided by a rational analysis of benefits and costs, potential risks related to the interests of current and future generations.

We see sustainable development of society as one of the fundamental conditions for achieving justice in relations between generations, conditions for expressing the interests of future generations, which, among other things, presupposes a scientifically sound socio-economic policy, the security of citizens and a mechanism of legal guarantees, including for citizens of future generations. And to achieve this goal, it is necessary to have special bodies and an appropriate legal framework.

The main idea of the concept of sustainable development is seen by us in the preservation of man, one might even say, in the preservation of man as a biological species, as well as in the preservation of nature and its riches. This concept requires ensuring the safety of people. It does not deny the importance of scientific and technological progress for the full functioning of people, but with the preservation of the ecological balance of nature, natural resources and their transfer to future generations. The principle of social justice, the principle of social equality requires the creation of a certain minimum of natural resources and favorable conditions for representatives of future generations.

In the modern world, an unreasonable and irresponsible model of people's use of natural resources has developed, due to the selfish goals of short-term benefits and profit of certain social groups. This model does not involve the restoration of natural resources in the name of the civilization of the future. In addition, such a way of activity significantly violates the ecological balance of the planet and brings it closer to death.

The market economy of modern society tries in every way to satisfy the ever-growing human needs. However, these needs cannot always be attributed to those of which Epicurus would say that they are among the natural and necessary. The fact is that for their own profit, manufacturers of various goods through promotions are trying to inspire people with the idea of the need for more and more consumption of material goods than they really need. And this is often achieved due to the depletion of natural resources without proper preventive measures to restore them, despite warnings from environmentalists and scientists. Such phenomena as deforestation, depletion of natural resources, air pollution, land desertification, destruction of a favorable environment, unfortunately, are becoming commonplace in the modern world. It can be argued, not without reason, that "the existing, modern system of interaction with nature acquires a threatening character" ^{[1, p. 46]}.

We define such activity of a modern person as social injustice and violation of equality in relations between generations. For this deprives representatives of future generations of the necessary minimum of favorable conditions for their life, even in relation to renewable resources. Such activity contributes to the appearance of diseases associated with environmental violations in people of the future, contributes to the physical degeneration of a person.

The concept of sustainable development forms universal values aimed at the full development of society, but at the same time devoid of predatory attitude to natural resources, forms values that provide for the interests of future generations. L. Vestra points out the need for guaranteed equal access for all members of society to available resources and rightly suggests preserving such access for future generations as a moral the duty of modern man to future generations ^{[18, p. 136]}.

V. Hesle suggests considering nature as a whole, first of all, as the common property of many generations, and not as the private property of any particular generation. Consequently, in a society where the importance of the principles of justice and equality in relations between generations is not denied, it is permissible to use only a certain proportion of renewable natural resources, but their full use without a remainder is unacceptable ^{[12, p. 240]}. He believes that it is legitimate to allocate a certain share of the profits to research in the search for alternative energy sources, or to other investments in favor of future generations by people who use natural resources ^{[12, p. 241]}. At the same time, assistance for the benefit of future generations should not be excessive, it should not infringe on the reasonable needs of representatives of the current generation. This would already be a new violation of intertemporal justice.

The study of intertemporal justice in the context of the concept of culture involves understanding this concept as a way of influencing nature and its transformation in order to meet human needs. That is, culture in the context of modern realities should be interpreted as a person's ability to adapt to nature and adapt to it. This is necessary both for the preservation of nature and the survival of man himself, and for its further transmission to future generations. Exploring the issues of relations between generations, T.V. Bespalova reasonably considers the ecological crisis as a crisis of culture ^{[3, p. 17]}.

The well-known researcher of the concept of sustainable development N.M. Mammadov draws attention to the fact that this concept assumes harmony between the socio-economic development of society and the preservation of the ecological balance of the planet in the system of cultural values. For this reason, the value of nature and the attitude towards it acquire special significance. He argues that the attitude of people not only to each other, but also their attitude to nature forms the two-pronged basis of culture and determines its features, and concludes that culture is a way and result of adaptation of people's life ^{[7, p. 11]}.

Conclusion.In conclusion of our work, we will point out that providing the current generation with acceptable living conditions for future generations is beyond doubt, because such activity is a moral duty for representatives of any generation.

At the same time, the main position of our research assumes a certain measure of this assistance to future generations, which cannot be excessive, should not cause unjustified damage to modern society. Caring for the people of the future society can be conditioned by the objective capabilities of modern society, reasonable needs and interests of representatives of our era.

Theoretically, the rights of future generations cannot be expressed in a strict and unambiguous form in relation to living people due to the absence of representatives of future generations. There are no legal, economic or other reciprocity relations between them. No one can say with certainty that they will exist at all. This state of affairs gives researchers reason not to condemn modern society too strictly if its representatives do not sacrifice many of their own interests in favor of the interests of future generations, or sacrifice less than they could, based on their objective capabilities.

Concern for future generations should be expressed, first of all, in the preservation of natural resources for descendants, a favorable environment for living, and the ecological balance of nature. Of course, such measures do not exclude other assistance for the benefit of future generations.

The current society should do everything possible to ensure the viability of the environment. It seems that the main condition for ensuring intertemporal justice is the transition of modern society to the principles of sustainable development. It is in this context that it is necessary to consider the fair treatment of future generations. Justice and equality in relations between generations presuppose equal opportunities for all generations in the use of natural resources as a common inheritance of all inhabitants of the planet.

Also, as one of the main conclusions of our study, we note the objective need for modern society to search for alternative energy sources. Success in this direction can contribute to the solution of many problems in ensuring justice in relations between generations.