Abstract

This paper develops a theoretical framework for comparing religious ethics (from Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam) and secular ethics (based on duties vs. rights, current vs. future generations, humans vs. non-humans, intra- vs. inter-generational equity, teleological vs. deontological perspectives, anthropocentrism vs. biocentrism, cooperative vs. bargaining solutions, weak vs. strong sustainability, optimistic vs. current scenarios). I focused on the duties to nature (β) and future generations (γ), rights of future generations (δ), and aversion to intra- and inter-generational inequality (ε and ζ, respectively). To perform this analysis, I adopt an individual perspective to favor comparisons between religious and secular ethics. I also consider future scenarios for consumption preferences (α), population size (η), and improved technology (θ). I present empirical results for OECD and non-OECD countries, based on numerical simulations for current and maximum feasible parameter values and on statistical analyses for marginal reliable changes of parameters, within a single graphical framework. α, η, and θ are unessential for sustainability; β is beneficial but not feasible and unreliable in OECD countries; γ is detrimental in all countries; δ is beneficial, feasible and reliable in OECD countries, but inadequate; ε is detrimental and ζ is essential in all countries. The religious ethics were adequate, feasible and reliable for Hinduism or Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.