@article{ART002938936},
author={Bae, Hee Jin},
title={“The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement},
journal={Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University},
issn={1598-3021},
year={2023},
volume={80},
number={1},
pages={233-260},
doi={10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233}
TY - JOUR
AU - Bae, Hee Jin
TI - “The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement
JO - Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
PY - 2023
VL - 80
IS - 1
PB - Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
SP - 233
EP - 260
SN - 1598-3021
AB - This study critically analyzes Hans Jonas’ concept of “the heuristics of fear” in his work on the ethics of responsibility, The Imperative of Responsibility.
I evaluate the effectiveness of fear as a heuristic and suggest some supplementary measures. The “heuristics of fear” involves the process of humankind’s awakening to its vulnerability to sudden extinction through ecocide. This is an experience of existential fear through imagination. The fear in question is a rational one, and thus it arouses ethical sentiments in us and encourages us to take measures to prevent ecological collapse. Although I accept the basic principle of his ethics of responsibility, which is to say that we certainly have a duty to protect the interests of future generations, I see a limited role for fear when it comes to practical steps. I suggest an alternative emotion as the driving factor of such ethical sentiments — that of compassion. Upon realizing the imminent fate of mankind, we come to have strong feelings of compassion, seeing our future descendants as undeserving of the suffering they are destined to endure as a result of our actions, for which they bear no responsibility. This approach provides a more convincing view of Jonas’ future-oriented ethics of responsibility, and a more inspiring call to act responsibly for the sake of future humankind.
KW - Fear;Responsibility;Compassion;Ethics;Ethical Sentiments;Imagination;Future Generations;Ecocide
DO - 10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
ER -
Bae, Hee Jin. (2023). “The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 80(1), 233-260.
Bae, Hee Jin. 2023, "“The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement", Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, vol.80, no.1 pp.233-260. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
Bae, Hee Jin "“The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 80.1 pp.233-260 (2023) : 233.
Bae, Hee Jin. “The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement. 2023; 80(1), 233-260. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
Bae, Hee Jin. "“The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 80, no.1 (2023) : 233-260.doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
Bae, Hee Jin. “The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 80(1), 233-260. doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
Bae, Hee Jin. “The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University. 2023; 80(1) 233-260. doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
Bae, Hee Jin. “The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement. 2023; 80(1), 233-260. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
Bae, Hee Jin. "“The Heuristics of Fear” in Hans Jonas’ Ethics of Responsibility-Measures for Enhancement" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 80, no.1 (2023) : 233-260.doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.80.1.202302.233
