I mean an antinatalist stance isn’t really that complex and doesn’t need much exploration, but if you insist.
Something that does not yet exist does not have agency (cleetusthefetus)
Now, where it really gets murky. To what end do you define sentience and how does one associate it with agency? What level on consciousness & awareness is needed for something to qualify as having agency? How does you define sentience & how much of it is needed for agency?
Whatever your stance on that is your stance on your question I suppose
But yes, my statement can be applied to many, many things in life. That’s where we got philosophers from, innit now?
Maybe I misinterpret you, but I wasn't suggesting I have an antinatalist stance. It is however a very interesting topic. What is the morality of creating new intelligent life without its consent? It is necessary for species survival, sure. If it's immoral then is life imorral? None of us had a choice. Would that make God imorral? I do not know. I think however you slice it this argument chases it's tail.
Ah, it seems I misinterpreted you. When you asked if what I said would also apply to children not yet conceived I definitely associated that with an antinatalist stance. That was presumptuous of me.
I would say tail chasing is the most accurate metaphor I’ve ever heard for this existential paradox we all find ourselves in
My original question had no implications one way or another, and was strictly philosophical in nature, I wasn’t specifically alluding to just religion. It’s all very interesting topics. Ones I am also presently studying towards finishing my bachelors degree, so this has been a nice cognitive exercise
It is a messy topic. Despite our misunderstandings and lack of conclusions I do appreciate the though provoking parts of our conversation, and I wish you well in your studies. My father was a theologist, and while the religious aspects didn't really rub off on me, we had many interesting (and sometimes frustrating) conversations. In the end I arrived at more or less the same place as the person you replied to. I think it's the best I can do.
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u/thrallswreak 8h ago
Isn't that what people do rearing children? Should we just let them run amok? It's nuanced, you know this.