Q&A for How to Live As an Antinatalist

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How do I express and discuss anti-natalism philosophy openly with someone that I know without accidentally insulting them? I live in a very religious country.

Benjamin M.

Top Answerer

One strategy is to look for sources in the tradition of your country's religion(s), if they exist, so that the discussion is not perceived as an attack on the tradition itself, but a discussion from within it. Be clear about why you want to talk about anti-natalism philosophy with this person. Is it just because you are interested and would like a partner to talk to? If so, maybe there are online forums with people who will not get offended. If you want to discuss it with this person specifically, explain why (e.g. you trust them, value their opinion, want their perspective, etc.). Treat it as an experiment with an idea as opposed to you firmly espousing a particular view or attacking another.

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How does "all" suicide cause suffering? This is a very narrow way to look at things. Many suicides have reduced much unnecessary suffering. To say all are bad is never sound.

Ellen Etc

Community Answer

It is unusual in our culture for people to react to a suicide with happiness. Deliberate self-annihilation usually causes suffering for the person's loved ones, who miss the person's presence, blame themselves, worry about the person's afterlife fate, etc. People may even feel bad about the suicides of people they didn't know personally, such as celebrities (e.g. Robin Williams), even if they also believe the suicide ended the person's suffering.

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What if the next person to be born was going to make the world a better, more pleasurable place for everyone else?

Moonmodule1998

Top Answerer

It is at least equally probable that the born person would go on to cause suffering. If the person is never born, this possibility, and the certainty of their own eventual suffering, is made nil. This is the philosophy of antinatalism.

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Why don't antinatalists advocate for fostering/adopting of children? There are millions of 'already born' who are suffering and need love/care. We should improve the world, not just not make it worse.

Moonmodule1998

Top Answerer

Antinatalists as a whole are generally anti-birth, pro-adoption, even if some of the individuals themselves have no desire to adopt.

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