exam 2 - benatar

Question 1

benatar’s central thesis

Answer 1

it’s immoral to bring people into existence because it’s always a harm

Question 2

assymmetry argument

Answer 2

(1) pain = bad
(2) pleasure = good
(3) no pain = good; even if no one enjoys it
(4) no pleasure = NOT bad; UNLESS someone is being deprived

Question 3

first procreative asymmetry

Answer 3

we have strong duty not to intentionally bring someone into existence to suffer, but we don’t have corresponding duty to bring about happy people

Question 4

second procreative asymmetry

Answer 4

weird to consider reasons why we should bring someone into existence, but not to consider reasons why we shouldn’t

Question 5

third procreative asymmetry

Answer 5

we can regret bringing someone into existence and failing to bring someone into existence
- to regret bringing someone into existence is for child’s sake
- to regret failing to bring someone into existence is for your sake

Question 6

the harm of coming into existence

Answer 6

• the bads are real disadvantages
• the goods aren’t real advantages

Question 7

benatar’s take on the harm of coming into existence

Answer 7

the fact that you enjoy life doesn’t make life better than non-existence
- a life of utter bliss and one stubbed toe is worse than non-existence