The Principle of Roughness, when it applies, implies that we should not discriminate on the basis of relatively small benefits and losses. The future changes at stake—the rest of human history being up for grabs—seem so large that relatively small changes in upfront benefits and costs, such as the dog’s broken leg, do not move the initial compariso

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What is most fascinating about this approach is the extent to which it affects the people who take on the role of future generations. As Saijo notes, they develop what he calls ‘futureability’: ‘an increase in happiness as a result of deciding and acting to forgo current benefits as long as it enriches future generations.’35 Research shows that peo

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