African Communitarianism and the Misanthropic Argument for Anti-Natalism

Anti-natalism is the view that procreation is always or almost always wrong. Philanthropic and misanthropic arguments argue that procreation is impermissible due to the harm done to individuals. This book argues that David Benatar's misanthropic argument for anti-natalism should be endorsed by any version of African Communitarianism, and that the African philosophical tradition offers unique support for the argument. This is surprising given the emphasis on procreation and the immediate family unit in indigenous African worldviews.

Format: Hardback
Length: 91 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Anti-natalism is a provocative stance that suggests procreation is either always or almost always morally wrong. Philanthropic anti-natalists argue that procreation is inherently impermissible due to the harm it inflicts on individuals who come into existence. Misanthropic arguments, on the other hand, contend that procreation is generally impermissible because of the harm that individuals can cause once they are brought into the world.

The primary objective of this concise monograph is to establish that David Benatar's misanthropic argument for anti-natalism should be embraced by any version of African Communitarianism. Furthermore, there are resources within the African philosophical tradition that provide unique support for this argument. This outcome is particularly surprising, considering the emphasis placed on procreation and the immediate family unit in indigenous African worldviews. This book represents the first attempt to engage with anti-natalism in the context of contemporary African ethics.

Philanthropic anti-natalists argue that procreation is always impermissible because it causes harm to the individuals who are brought into existence. They contend that the act of procreation involves the exploitation and suffering of these individuals, as they are forced into a world of pain, suffering, and inequality. Philanthropic anti-natalists believe that it is morally wrong to create new life when there is already so much suffering and injustice in the world.

Misanthropic arguments, on the other hand, hold that procreation is usually impermissible given the harm that individuals will do once brought into existence. Misanthropic arguments often focus on the destructive nature of human beings and the harm they can cause to each other and the environment. They argue that procreation perpetuates the cycle of suffering and that it is morally wrong to bring new life into a world that is already filled with pain and destruction.

One of the most prominent misanthropic arguments for anti-natalism is presented by David Benatar. Benatar argues that procreation is always morally wrong because it involves the creation of new beings who will suffer and experience pain. He contends that the existence of these beings is inherently unjust and that it is morally wrong to bring them into existence. Benatar further argues that the harm that individuals can cause to each other and the environment is far greater than the harm that can be caused by not procreating.

Benatar's argument is based on a utilitarian perspective, which holds that the greatest good for the greatest number of people should be the guiding principle of moral decision-making. He argues that the creation of new beings who will suffer and experience pain is not in the best interest of these beings or the society in which they live. Benatar contends that the resources that are used to support procreation could be better allocated to other causes, such as reducing poverty, improving healthcare, and protecting the environment.

Despite the strength of Benatar's argument, there are resources within the African philosophical tradition that offer unique support for the argument against procreation. One of these resources is the concept of Ubuntu, which is a central tenet of African Communitarianism. Ubuntu is a South African term that means "I am because we are," and it emphasizes the importance of community and interconnectedness. Ubuntu emphasizes the importance of treating each other with respect and dignity and of working together to create a better world.

Ubuntu also emphasizes the importance of procreation and the immediate family unit. African cultures place a high value on procreation, as it is seen as a way of continuing the family line and passing on cultural values and traditions. The immediate family unit is seen as a source of support and stability, and it is believed that children should be raised in a loving and nurturing environment.

In addition to Ubuntu, there are other resources within the African philosophical tradition that support the argument against procreation. One of these resources is the concept of Nje, which is a traditional African concept of the soul. Nje is believed to be the essence of a person's being and to be immortal. Nje is believed to be the source of a person's moral and ethical values and to be the source of their creativity and imagination.

Nje is also believed to be the source of a person's sense of self and to be the source of their sense of belonging. Nje is believed to be the source of a person's sense of purpose and to be the source of their sense of fulfillment. Nje is believed to be the source of a person's sense of joy and happiness.

In conclusion, anti-natalism is a provocative view that suggests procreation is either always or almost always morally wrong. Philanthropic anti-natalists argue that procreation is inherently impermissible due to the harm it inflicts on individuals who come into existence. Misanthropic arguments, on the other hand, contend that procreation is generally impermissible because of the harm that individuals can cause once they are brought into the world.

Despite the strength of David Benatar's misanthropic argument for anti-natalism, there are resources within the African philosophical tradition that offer unique support for the argument against procreation. One of these resources is the concept of Ubuntu, which emphasizes the importance of community and interconnectedness. Ubuntu also emphasizes the importance of procreation and the immediate family unit, as these are seen as sources of support and stability.

In addition to Ubuntu, there are other resources within the African philosophical tradition that support the argument against procreation, such as the concept of Nje, which emphasizes the importance of the soul and the source of a person's moral and ethical values. These resources provide a different perspective on the issue of procreation and offer a unique insight into the ethical considerations surrounding procreation.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031118500
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022