Exploring the philosophy and ramifications of antinatalism; that is, the belief that life should not be brought into existence.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Thought for the Day
Every affirmation of the continuance of life on this planet is a philosophical acquiescence to literally billions of incidences of debilitating illness and disease, of maiming, of torture, of rape, of murder, of pestilence and starvation, of mistreatment and indignity, of crippling incapacitation through accident or willful offense, and of every other crime or mischance that falls upon the heads of living biological entities who were never given the chance to say "No! I choose not to exist." Make no mistake- whenever we say "yes" to life, we ineluctably affirm suffering and death, as well.
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11 comments:
With all this talk of your upcoming optimism, it's refreshing to see such a pessimistic post.
-MM
Modern Man:
I just thought it was time I crafted a few quotables for posterity; my own immortality project...everybody's doing it!:)
I hope I haven't given anyone the impression that my views have changed in any way. I just want to broaden the message a bit, maybe touch the hearts of those outside the choir. At least, some of them. I know I've said elsewhere that "hope is my enemy", but I also realize that most people draw their 'spiritual' sustenance from hope, and I'm attempting to fashion a realistic alternative to traditional values for people to pin those hopes on.
What you are doing here is very important. You are a very wise person.
I second Modern Man on that.
Good to see these kind of posts, Jim.
LIFE IS MISTER BONESTRIPPER!
Very well said...and I agree wholeheartedly.
Pursuant to your email to me, it is nice to see your blog. I've been aware of your book for a while. I will be following with attention.
Here are two entries I've written about anti-natalism in the past:
http://francoistremblay.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/the-moral-and-ethical-problems-of-childbirth/
http://francoistremblay.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/mankind-must-perpetuate/
There are at least two more to come in the future. My position has been refining itself as I've been reading more and more, and thinking more and more, on the topic.
Francoistremblay,
Very good pieces on your blog. congratulations.
And yeah, life is mr bonestripper! Both literally and figuratively speaking!
CHeers
Don't know if anyone saw this last year, but here's a great interview with Woody Allen where he speaks uncompromisingly about the horror of life and how we do our best do distract ourselves from it.
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/woody
The worst part is the meaninglessness... I struggle every day with the question of what to say to dearly loved ones who ask my congratulations for having brought another life into this poor vale of tears. I don't want to hurt them... but their actions are so harmful.
I think I love you people.
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