Abstract

The paper reconsiders the foundations of the ethics of responsibility in the work of Hans Jonas, who suggests that the radical modern change in both the scope and character of our action leads to the inability to control and predict its consequences. From this perspective, one should act morally and politically in such a way as to make the life of future generations of living beings possible. This means that the moral actors themselves have not only the right but also the duty to existence. The paper considers a number of challenges to the ethics of responsibility that arise from the demand of ensuring both the continuation of life and of good life.