David Benatar

David Benatar is a South African philosopher, academic, and author, widely recognized for his contributions to moral philosophy and his advocacy of antinatalism. Born in 1966, he holds a BSocSc and PhD from the University of Cape Town, where he is an emeritus professor of philosophy. Benatar is best known for his argument that coming into existence is inherently harmful, thus rendering procreation morally reprehensible. This stance is deeply rooted in his concept of the "asymmetry between pain and pleasure." He posits that the presence of pain is bad, while its absence is good even if unexperienced. Conversely, the presence of pleasure is good, but its absence is not bad unless someone is deprived of it. This asymmetry, he argues, tips the ethical scales against bringing new life into the world. Benatar has also explored other significant philosophical topics, including the unreliability of human self-assessment regarding life quality, influenced by psychological tendencies like optimism bias and adaptation. His work delves into the 'badness of death,' viewing it as a deprivation of future experiences and an annihilation of self. Furthermore, he has critically examined issues of gender discrimination in his book 'The Second Sexism,' highlighting systemic disadvantages faced by men and boys. Benatar is also a vegan, drawing ethical parallels between human mistreatment of animals and the rationale behind antinatalism. An atheist of Jewish ethnicity, he has spoken out about perceived hostility towards Jewish people in academic settings. His influential work, particularly "Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence" (2006), has shaped contemporary debates in ethics and existential philosophy.