Science-fiction
fans like to travel back in time by “running the film backwards”. Let
us be clear on this: in perfect symmetry,
time is not, it does not
exist. It is born of the rupture of original symmetry and flows out in
the direction we are all familiar with.
Temporal symmetry suggests to us that the value of a contract (or
promise) must be the same at the time of its conclusion, at the time of
delivery, at the time of payment.
The value of a treaty such as the Charter of the United Nations should
have been the same on 10 September and on 12 September 2001; however,
by attacking Iraq, the UN charter which defends the territorial
integrity of nations and the respect of their governments was violated.
A break in symmetry does not mean that a contract or treaty may be
systematically violated! And temporal symmetry does not mean that
contracts or treaties cannot be renegotiated. They can be, provided the
three previous principles apply:
first, each partner has an equal right to renegotiate;
second, should a
party wish to modify a clause, e.g. the date of delivery or the quality
of the product, reciprocity would apply and the seller could ask for a
clause to be modified, such as the price;
third, this price should be more or less proportional to the value of the favour asked; and
finally, all parties should agree.
So
which ethical values does this temporal symmetry suggest? One might
first think of SUSTAINABILITY and its environmental impact. Still, the
term “
Responsibility”, in the sense of “answering for one’s words and
acts in time”, affords it significant coverage, and includes
environmental protection. Let us consider a topical example: an
automotive manufacturer guarantees the use of a vehicle for a certain
period of time. In case of defect, he repairs the vehicle,
re-establishing symmetry by having it comply with the contract. He is
responsible, he is bound to his customer.