Popnans

Popnans is a hypothetical scenario used in discussions about population ethics and the long-term future of humanity. It presents a thought experiment where a vastly larger number of people exist in the future compared to the present, or even the past. The core idea is to explore the implications of this extreme population disparity on ethical considerations.

The scenario typically involves a future civilization that has achieved immense population growth, potentially through technological advancements or a sustained high birth rate over vast periods. This future population can number in the trillions or even quadrillions, far exceeding any historical or current population figures. The "Popnans" themselves are the individuals inhabiting this greatly expanded future.

The ethical questions raised by Popnans center on how we should value the lives of these future individuals. If we can bring about a future with an astronomical number of happy lives, does that create a moral imperative to do so, even if it requires significant sacrifices or risks in the present? Conversely, some argue that Popnans highlights the potential for overwhelming suffering if the future population is not managed ethically, or if the sheer scale of existence diminishes the value of individual lives. It serves as a tool to probe intuitions about intergenerational ethics and the moral weight of vast numbers of people.