Ethical Principles and their Spread

6. Ethical Principles and their Spread

In the second round, respondents were also asked to judge the likely spread over time of principles which might be used in decision making and to resolve ethical issues.

A review of these three tables shows that, remarkably, five of top principles in 2005 were present in all three time periods:

The following graph compares the judgments about levels of acceptance in 2005 with those anticipated for 2050. All entries above the diagonal line represent spreading values.

21 World interests should prevail

over nation-state interests. 1.318
23 Protection of the environment and

biodiversity should be considered in

any policy. 1.294
3 Harmony with nature is more important

than economic progress. 1.155

evolution. 1.127

focus of today's actions. 1.032

uninfringeable and fundamental for a

healthy society. 1.023
30 Make decisions that have universal applicability. 0.847
25 Access to education is a fundamental human

right. 0.803

genetic evolution to avoid its pitfalls and

cruelties. 0.738
20 Consideration of equity (e.g. distribution of

benefits) is essential in decision making. 0.708

of social values. -0.491

to request rights should be given these rights

and be treated with the same respect as

humans. -0.513

the rights of other living and non-living things. -0.514

to human happiness. -0.605

Human survival as a species is the highest priority.

People must be responsible for their actions

Make decisions which do no harm.

Treat people the way you would like to be treated.

Make decisions bringing most good to most people.

Make decisions that have universal applicability.
Science

Scientific research is a more reliable path than religious faith.

Any artificial form of life intelligent enough to request rights should be given these rights

Human space migration is part of human evolution.

Society has the obligation to intervene in genetic evolution to avoid its pitfalls and cruelties.

Science and technology should serve society, rather than be just a pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.

Life is a divine unalterable gift.

Compassion is required for justice.

The spiritual dimension of human life is more important then the material one.

The family is the foundation of social values.

Human beings have an obligation to mitigate suffering

World interests should prevail over national interests.

Collective security is more important than individual freedom.

Protection of the environment and biodiversity should be considered in any policy.

Care for future generations should be a major focus of today's actions.
Operations Research

Collective judgment is generally better than individual judgment.

Fairness underlies most successful policies.

Economic progress is the most reliable path to human happiness.

Consideration of equity (e.g. distribution of benefits) is essential in decision making.
Wisdom

Harmony with nature is more important than economic progress.

Intolerance leads to hate and social disintegration.

Human rights should always prevail over the rights of other

living and non-living things.

The rights of women and children are uninfringeable

Access to education is a fundamental human right.

Precedents and tradition are important.

Using these divisions, the paths of evolution of the principles seen by the respondents could be traced, as shown below.

Thus, strong growth is seen for the groupings we have titled Policy Imperatives; modest growth for Philosophy, Wisdom, and Science; and relative stasis for Operations Research and Religion