Is it Morally Permissible to have Children

Author

Awinyandji W. DjebouFollow

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Philosophy

First Advisor

James Mahon

Abstract

Having children is something that has always been considered morally good. Generations and generations of human beings have been raised with the idea that procreating is part of the natural processes of life. To have a child is often considered an important milestone in a person’s life most societies. In fact, it is expected of any well-rounded adult. However, in recent years, some philosophers have argued against the moral permissibility of having children. In this thesis I aim to end the debate on the morality of procreation. I will argue that it is morally permissible to have children, but only in certain instances. I will look at the extreme position in this debate, Anti-Natalism (against having children), defended by David Benatar, and objections to it by David Wasserman. Challenging each of their views, and extracting the strongest aspects of each side, I will advance a third more rational and acceptable view. This view will explore the idea of what makes having children morally permissible or impermissible.

Recommended Citation

Djebou, Awinyandji W., "Is it Morally Permissible to have Children" (2018). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/le_etds/11