Antinatalism

[robvalue]

Antinatalism is the philosophy that ascribes a negative value to existence.  It stipulates that having children is immoral because you impose suffering on a new entity without its consent.

There are some logically valid points.  For example: there's no moral obligation to impose pleasure.  But there is a moral obligation not to impose harm.

Another example: when people think about imposing life, they say "what about the joys?" But what about the joys of drugs?  Would you impose drug addiction on someone?

But most antinatalists strike me as profoundly depressed people who I can't relate to. I'm happy and wouldn't feel so guilty if I ended up having a kid.

Personally, I don't automatically assign any value to existence, positive or negative. I take each on its merits. I wouldn't tell anyone else what to do, but I would never have children. I don't think I can justify it to myself. I don't feel comfortable making some kind of net pleasure/pain prediction.

I see life as equal parts blessing and curse.

So yes, pointing out "the good parts" is not an argument. I don't consider good/bad experiences to be in the same currency. Lots of good ones do not simply cancel out bad ones leaving an overall worth; even if things end up that way round.

People have children because they want children. It's not any more complex. This is just my opinion.