Legal Definitions - posterity

Posterity refers to all future generations of people. It can also specifically mean all the descendants of a particular person, extending indefinitely into the future.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Example 1: When a community decides to bury a time capsule containing artifacts and messages from the present day, they often state that it is intended to be opened by posterity in a hundred years.

  Explanation 1: In this context, posterity refers to the collective group of all people who will be living in that community in the future, long after the current generation has passed. The time capsule is a message to these future generations.

• Example 2: A renowned scientist dedicates their life's work to discovering a cure for a rare disease, hoping that their research will benefit not only those currently suffering but also their own posterity and the wider human population for centuries to come.

  Explanation 2: Here, posterity encompasses two meanings. First, it refers to the scientist's direct descendants, implying a hope that their family line will also benefit from or be proud of the legacy. Second, it broadly refers to all future generations of humanity who might be spared the disease due to the scientific breakthrough.

• Example 3: A national government passes legislation to protect a vast wilderness area, declaring it a national park to be preserved in its natural state for posterity.

  Explanation 3: This example uses posterity to mean all future citizens and inhabitants of the nation and the world. The government's action ensures that this natural resource will be available and enjoyed by generations yet to be born, highlighting a long-term commitment to environmental preservation.