In Peter Singer’s article “Should This Be The Last Generation,” he discusses the very pessimistic question, if our generation should be the last generation on earth. I strongly believe that we should not be the last generation on earth. This seems like a very rash and dramatic decision to come to, and completely unnecessary.
I understand the good in some families rethinking having children. For example if one of the parents has a fatal disease, maybe they shouldn’t have children, because of what that child would have to go through once that parent passes away. This on the other hand is completely different then stopping the whole production of the next generation. When a family decides not to have children, they are considering what’s best for them and the child, and everyone’s situation is different. It’s a huge generalization to say that no ones life is worth living and therefore we should just stop producing children.
If we were to sterilize the human race, we would not only be killing the future of our world, but also one of the great joys in our lives we have, family. If everyone were to be sterilized, couples would not be able to start families. So by sterilizing everyone we are taking away one of life’s greatest treasures, having a baby. Women would no longer be able to experience the great joy of having a child, and the effect that child has on their life. I think that no one really understands that joy until they have experienced it, but by sterilizing the human race, we are not giving people the chance to experience this. This idea also goes against what Benatar thinks, because he believes that no one will actually benefit from having children. I like to think that my parents have greatly benefited from having me, but I guess that’s just my opinion. I think all parents’ lives are significantly improved once they have children. But apparently Benatar does not feel this way.
Who are we to say that we should be the end of the human race? Do we really have the authority or knowledge to make that big of a decision? No, we don’t. It is extremely egotistical of us to think that we can make that decision. Sterilizing the human race is a completely crazy and morbid idea.
Very rational. Straightforward. Seems overly serious, given the hypothetical nature of his question. Approach it as more of a philosophical idea.
ReplyDeleteGood beginning to second paragraph.
Good division -- some children suffer but not all children.
Last paragraph is actually one of your strongest arguments. Who has the authority to decide this? Do we not have the authority to decide our race's existence? Fascinating -- I'd like to see more on this.
Maybe specific what would count as suffering. Dirty diaper? No food? Poverty?
I think 2nd paragraph from bottom would be improved if you point out that using his logic of happiness as a justifier for life, then happiness is achieved not by snuffing us out but by allowing for procreation, one of life's greatest joys.
Multimedia?
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