Introduction
In his essay, “Why Care About the Future,” Ernest Partridge explores human nature and the intrinsic motivation to identify with something bigger and more significant. Patridge aims to support the premise that people in good health and functioning have a fundamental yearning to transcend themselves and focus on collective needs (Patridge 203). Thus, people are capable of caring about the distant future, and more importantly, doing so has a significant positive impact on the well-being of those individuals and communities that do so.
Self-Transcendence
First, a more profound fundamental desire, which the author refers to as self-transcendence, underlies the claim that a functioning individual cares about the future. On the one hand, the knowledge that after accepting the gift of civilization, individuals have increased its value to their offspring by participating in self-transcending tasks seems to boost human pride in society as a whole (Patridge 205). In this case, people will choose to think of their choices and the perspectives beyond their own lives.
On the other hand, Partridge addresses the notion of beauty as a means of transcending oneself. Using the law of import transference, when something is considered beautiful, the enjoyment of its aesthetic appeal is transferred onto the thing and seen as a quality of it (Patridge 207). It is evident in patriotic deeds and celebrations, as well as in the donation of one’s time, talent, and resources to specific causes (Patridge 208). Therefore, there are both collective and individual forces that drive engagement in processes that make an impact.
The Role of Physical Mortality
However, besides the evident factors that motivate people, there is an existential explanation for the motivation behind self-transcendence, such as an awareness of physical mortality. Being aware of mortality leads to fear, which is “the heavy price we pay for self-awareness, time-perception, and abstract knowledge of the external world” (Patridge 209). Yet being able to recognize one’s own mortality additionally highlights some of a person’s higher moral characteristics (Patridge 209). For example, people plan for a future after the end of their lives since humans are aware of their mortality (Patridge 209). In other words, the reasons why people care about good deeds and the future are explained through universal experiences of awareness, beauty, and unity.
Alienation, Narcissism, and Moral Paradox
At the same time, Partridge contrasts self-transcendence with alienation, presenting it as its antithesis. A sense of individual contribution to large initiatives and involvement in essential events is absent when people feel alienated (Patridge 212). Similar to the alienated person, a narcissist is dangerous to the social good as well due to their disinterest in other people and communities (Patridge 214). As a result, the author notes that human compassion and care for one another should motivate people to support initiatives that eradicate narcissistic conditions (Patridge 214).
By using quotes from Erich Fromm, Patridge emphasizes that “in the act of creation man transcends himself beyond the passivity and accidentalness of his existence into the realm of purposefulness and freedom” (Patridge 212). Ultimately, the moral paradox suggests that self-transcendence is a more responsible approach to achieving self-enrichment and individual satisfaction (217). Such a perspective supports the idea that, although there are disinterested people, society is still naturally engaged in meaningful actions, especially when it concerns the future.
Conclusion
In summary, people can care about the future, and more significantly, doing so has a positive effect on the well-being of people and communities. A functioning person is said to care about the future due to a more profound, fundamental need known as self-transcendence. There is an existential explanation for the drive for self-transcendence, such as a knowledge of physical mortality, in addition to the obvious motivations that inspire humans. Consequently, the moral paradox explicitly suggests that self-transcendence is the better path of conduct.
Work Cited
Partridge, Ernest. “Why Care About the Future?” Responsibilities to Future Generations: Environmental Ethics, edited by Ernest Partridge, Prometheus, 1981, pp. 203-220.