Benatar, David
Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence
- ISBN 13:
- 9780199549269
- author:
- Benatar, David
- format:
- Paperback
- publisher:
- Oxford University Press, Usa
- language:
- English
- Publication Year:
- 2008
- Pages:
- 256
- Dimensions:
- 13.21 x 1.52 x 20.07 centimetres
- Genre:
- Ethics & moral philosophy
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Item usually sent within 10 working days
Description
Better Never to Have Been challenges the assumption that coming into existence is not a serious harm. David Benatar argues that the existence of individuals always results in harm, despite the good things that make life better than it would have been otherwise.
The author draws on psychological literature to explain why people tend to overestimate the quality of their lives and resist the idea that they were harmed by being brought into existence. He then presents the 'anti-natal' view, which holds that it is always wrong to have children, and shows how this view can lead to a 'pro-death' view on abortion.
Benatar's argument may seem counter-intuitive, but he defends it by showing that it can help resolve moral theory conundrums about population. This book is a thought-provoking exploration of the ethics of existence and the value of human life.
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