what do we owe the future?

In a lovely bit of synchronicity...

1. We're studying Camus' version of existentialism in my 11th-grade class, and discussing his assertion that despair doesn't equal hopelessness.
2. I've just seen (and highly recommend) Children of Men, which is based on the premise of a world without children, and have been thinking about its existential implications.
3. Pat Robertson is at it again, claiming that an "existential view of life" is a contraceptive.
4. Joe Carter is asking what we owe the future, especially concerning our potential spouse.
5. My brother immediately asks what we owe to the past.
6. Which probably explains why he's resurrected a few old discussions.