Confessions of an Antinatalist Philosopher

Area of Science:

• Ethics
• Moral Philosophy
• Population Studies

Background:

• Antinatalism posits a negative value for reproduction, suggesting fewer or no births.
• Conditional antinatalism, or selective pronatalism, advocates for reduced births.
• Unconditional antinatalism faces challenges in defining scope and justifying extinction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical justifications for antinatalist positions.
• To analyze the implications of different axiologies and moral theories on antinatalism.
• To propose a moral framework for addressing reproduction.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of antinatalist arguments.
• Examination of various ethical theories, including negative utilitarianism.
• Evaluation of scope and justification for extinction policies.

Main Results:

• Different moral frameworks yield varied responses to antinatalist challenges.
• A two-value conflict-sensitive negative utilitarianism offers a reasoned justification.
• This framework supports ending human and factory-animal reproduction.

Conclusions:

• The study concludes that a specific moral theory can morally justify ending human and factory-animal reproduction.
• The justification is based on voluntary extinction for humankind.
• Antinatalist arguments are critically assessed through ethical lenses.