Anti-natalist ethics and their broader moral significance

Leak, Connor ORCID: 0000-0002-4522-4871 (2025). Anti-natalist ethics and their broader moral significance. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis explores key moral questions that are raised by anti-natalism. Collectively, thus far, most research on anti-natalism has focused on the arguments themselves, whether they are sound or unsound in demonstrating the moral impermissibility of reproducing. In this thesis, I explore how anti-natalism relates to our lives in other areas of moral significance, such as how anti-natalism relates to the value of death, the environment, food ethics (veganism), and extinction.
These explorations are important because, first, they can affect the viability of any anti-natalist theory. That is, even if we suppose that an anti-natalist theory is sound, how such a theory relates to, for example, the value of death or how one ought to value the environment can provide further reasons to accept or reject anti-natalism. Moreover, besides affecting the viability of such anti-natalist theories, these explorations connect areas of our moral lives that are prevalent and affect who we are, how we act, and what we value.
Moreover, the thesis does not focus on anti-natalism exclusively, and anti-natalism is not always the starting point in terms of argumentation. Instead, I also explore closely related concepts, such as death, in themselves and provide further context in terms of how such concepts can relate to anti-natalist theories. Thus, all things considered, I hope that this thesis provides original insights conducive to moral philosophy.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):