Antinatalism: Should We Have Children?

Antinatalism is the view that bringing new people into existence is morally wrong, or that we have strong moral reasons not to do so. Natalism, by contrast, holds that having children can be morally good or that creating new lives is generally something we have reason to support. Between these positions are many more moderate views: perhaps having children is permissible but not obligatory, or perhaps whether we should have children depends on the circumstances.

At this meetup, we'll explore the arguments on all sides and ask what, if anything, we owe to people who do not yet exist.

To keep the discussion focused:

• What makes bringing a person into existence morally good, bad, or morally neutral?
• Does the possibility of suffering give us a stronger reason not to create a person than the possibility of happiness gives us a reason to create one?
• If someone is likely to have a life that is very good overall, do we have a moral reason to bring them into existence—or merely permission to do so?
• Could there be a middle position between “we should have children” and “we should never have children”? What principles would determine when having a child is morally justified?
• What, if anything, do we owe to future generations when deciding whether to create new people?

No prior knowledge is required. Come ready to explain your views, question your assumptions, and engage with arguments you disagree with.

Description by ChatGPT