Debating Procreation: Is It Wrong to Reproduce?

David Benatar (Professor and Head of Department, Professor and Head of Department, Department of Philosophy, University of Capetown),David Wasserman (Director of Research, Director of Research, Center for Ethics, Yeshiva University)

Debating Procreation: Is It Wrong to Reproduce?
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Oxford University Press Inc
Country
United States
Published
13 August 2015
Pages
280
ISBN
9780199333547

Debating Procreation: Is It Wrong to Reproduce?

David Benatar (Professor and Head of Department, Professor and Head of Department, Department of Philosophy, University of Capetown),David Wasserman (Director of Research, Director of Research, Center for Ethics, Yeshiva University)

While procreation is ubiquitous, attention to the ethical issues involved in creating children is relatively rare. In Debating Procreation, David Benatar and David Wasserman take opposing views on this important question. David Benatar argues for the anti-natalist view that it is always wrong to bring new people into existence. He argues that coming into existence is always a serious harm and that even if it were not always so, the risk of serious harm is sufficiently great to make procreation wrong. In addition to these philanthropic arguments, he advances the misanthropic one that because humans are so defective and cause vast amounts of harm, it is wrong to create more of them.David Wasserman defends procreation against the anti-natalist challenge. He outlines a variety of moderate pro-natalist positions, which all see procreation as often permissible but never required. After criticizing the main anti-natalist arguments, he reviews those pronatalist positions. He argues that constraints on procreation are best understood in terms of the role morality of prospective parents, considers different views of that role morality, and argues for one that imposes only limited constraints based on the well-being of the future child. He then argues that the expected good of a future child and of the parent-child relationship can provide a strong justification for procreation in the face of expected adversities without giving individuals any moral reason to procreate

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.