Moral Future-Thinking: Does the Moral Circle Stand the Test of Time?

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Moral Philosophy
• Behavioral Economics

Background:

• Humanity's long-term welfare depends on present actions towards future generations.
• The moral circle often excludes distant future individuals.
• Understanding present-oriented bias is crucial for intergenerational equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate present-oriented bias in moral standing towards future generations.
• To examine factors influencing moral concern and obligation for future people.
• To explore the relationship between moral considerations and future-oriented prosocial behavior.

Main Methods:

• Five studies involving 1652 participants recruited via Prolific.
• Experimental designs assessing moral obligation, concern, and prosocial intentions.
• Measurement of individual differences like longtermism beliefs and imaginative vividness.

Main Results:

• A consistent present-oriented bias was found, favoring proximal over distal future targets.
• This bias was amplified for socially close targets and human versus non-human entities.
• Longtermism beliefs and imaginative vividness positively predicted future concern and obligation.

Conclusions:

• Present-oriented bias significantly impacts moral considerations for future generations.
• Individual differences play a key role in extending moral circles to the future.
• Findings offer practical implications for fostering greater future-oriented generosity and societal well-being.