Ethical foundation of the sustainable development in kant, habermas and hans jonas

Abstract

The possibility of economic development associated with environmental preservation is a relevant question to the contemporary societies. The sustainable development is based on issues of ethical content that transcend legal, economic and political matters. The aim of this paper is to investigate, in Immanuel Kant, Jürgen Habermas and Hans Jonas, the ethical bases that justify the sustainable development. In Kant, the categorical imperative, the appreciation of the universality of actions, and understanding of human beings and nature as ends in themselves, yet, the conditions for peace, conditions for cosmopolitan citizenship, and its unequivocal result: the sustainability. The communicative action of Habermas, engaged with justice, shows the possibility of morally appropriate choice because it shared the common interest, and his discourse ethics, which all have the same possibility and legitimacy to participate in setting standards that bind all. The sustainability includes the principles of information and participation, principles of environmental law, akin to discourse ethics. And the principle of responsibility of Jonas, that describes the gap between the feasibility of destruction, including environmental and ethical awareness of the unforeseen consequences of acts performed in the present. Relying on the possibility of damage, is concerned to ensure that the technical possibilities and practices leading men irresponsibly beyond the limits of viability of life. Sustainability, in accordance with the principle of responsibility, the man cries out for an action for guardianship of the environment, vulnerable front element to the destructiveness of that man.The contributions of ethics of Kant, Habermas and Jonas can help in identify the variables implied in any ethical / moral deliberation, supporting decisions more consistent with the requirements of sustainable development, thus allowing the perpetuation of life in all its amazing dimensions and possibilities.