Abstract
A form of pessimism can support the claim that we have a collective duty to prevent the creation of additional human beings. More specifically, I argue that axiological pessimism, which suggests that human existence is overall bad (for humans) because of a form of evil it causes, implies that we should end human procreation, provided that we do not thereby generate further such evil. In turn, this conclusion can support anti-natalism, the normative view that we should refrain from procreating.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 157-172 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Philosophy and Phenomenological Research |
| Volume | 111 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 19 May 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2025 The Author(s). Philosophy and Phenomenological Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Philosophy and Phenomenological Research LLC.
Funding
Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee (GrantNumber(s): 13607023; Grant recipient(s): Andrea Sauchelli)
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Keywords
- philosophical pessimism
- badness of existence
- value asymmetry
- anti-natalism
- collective responsibility
- value of humanity
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Axiological pessimism, procreation and collective responsibility'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Survival, Value and Existential Risk: Foundational Issues (關於倖存，價值和生存風險的基本議題)
SAUCHELLI, A. (PI)
Research Grants Council (Hong Kong, China)
1/01/24 → 31/12/25
Project: Grant Research
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