Should vegans have children? Examining the links between animal ethics and antinatalism

Joona Räsänen

doi:10.1007/s11017-023-09613-7

Should vegans have children? Examining the links between animal ethics and antinatalism

Joona Räsänen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Political Science - CEPDISC

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ethical vegans and vegetarians believe that it is seriously immoral to bring into existence animals whose lives would be miserable. In this paper, I will discuss whether such a belief also leads to the conclusion that it is seriously immoral to bring human beings into existence. I will argue that vegans should abstain from having children since they believe that unnecessary suffering should be avoided. After all, humans will suffer in life, and having children is not necessary for a good life. Thus vegans, and probably vegetarians as well, should not have children. I will consider several objections against this controversial claim, show why the objections fail and conclude that it would be best for ethical vegans to abstain from procreation.

Original language	English
Journal	Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics
Volume	44
Issue	2
Pages (from-to)	141-151
Number of pages	11
ISSN	1386-7415
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11017-023-09613-7
Publication status	Published - Apr 2023

Keywords

Anti-natalism
Antinatalism
Morality
Procreation
Reproduction
Veganism
Vegetarianism

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10.1007/s11017-023-09613-7

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abstract = "Ethical vegans and vegetarians believe that it is seriously immoral to bring into existence animals whose lives would be miserable. In this paper, I will discuss whether such a belief also leads to the conclusion that it is seriously immoral to bring human beings into existence. I will argue that vegans should abstain from having children since they believe that unnecessary suffering should be avoided. After all, humans will suffer in life, and having children is not necessary for a good life. Thus vegans, and probably vegetarians as well, should not have children. I will consider several objections against this controversial claim, show why the objections fail and conclude that it would be best for ethical vegans to abstain from procreation.",

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Should vegans have children? Examining the links between animal ethics and antinatalism

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Keywords

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