The only ethical argument for positive δ? Partiality and pure time preference

I consider the plausibility of discounting for kinship, the view that a positive rate of pure intergenerational time preference is justifiable in terms of agent-relative moral reasons relating to partiality between generations. I respond to Parfit's objections to discounting for kinship, but then highlight a number of apparent limitations of this approach. I show that these limitations largely fall away when we reflect on social discounting in the context of decisions that concern the global community as a whole, such as those related to global climate change.

Automated summary

The author explores the plausibility of discounting for kinship and responds to Parfit's objections to this view. It is found that the limitations of this approach largely disappear when making decisions that concern the global community as a whole.