The Imperative of Responsibility (Das Prinzip Verantwortung)
Hans Jonas · 1979 CE
Excerpt
“The imperative of responsibility requires that the effects of our actions be weighed across an indefinite future rather than only their immediate consequences. (paraphrase of the 1979 work)”
Why the atlas keeps it
Jonas argues that the ethic of responsibility must take precedence over the ethic of knowledge: the effects of an action are unpredictable, so the burden of proof sits with the actor, not with the critic. German original in 1979; the English translation appeared in 1984, a year after his death.
Terms this text reaches for
Ranked by the codex search index against the summary above, not hand-picked.
Imperative of responsibility
philosophyThe duty to weigh the full, indefinite consequences of an action before taking it.
Original position
philosophyThe hypothetical forum at which principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance.
Wu-wei
philosophyEffortless action: acting without forcing, and letting the situation take its proper course.
Ubuntu
ethicsI am because we are: a person becomes fully human in relationship with others.
Normative uncertainty
ethicsUncertainty not about what is true but about what ought to be valued.
External auditing
governanceIndependent verification of a developer's claims by an accredited third party.