this post was submitted on 09 Jul 2024
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Ignore or assume we fix socioeconomics, environment, etc.;
Is having a child moral given the child cannot consent to being born?
(Not offering any opinion or trying to lead towards any answer)
The child can still consider taking the one-way exit as soon as it is able to make such considerations and thereby gets a choice.
You could ask in a similar manner:
Wouldn't it be immoral to disallow this decision making process by leaving the child no choice by not having it?
Asking for consent of an unborn is paradoxial and inherently impossible. It's almost like asking a plant whether it consents into being planted and eaten afterwards. It has no agency. Is it immoral though to plant it and eat it anyway?
Having a child is similar. Get it, let it grow and develop its agency. Then it can decide for itself.
Death is far scarier than having never been born. I went through sooooo much torment thinking about death and if I should make today the day. I have PTSD from years of that. This is not a fair exit.
I understand that. It's a very scary feeling for most. (btw: If you really feel like this damaged you, I hope you've considered therapy.)
However, if someone decides they don't want to be alive (and we can ensure that this decision is made of "sound mind" (whatever that might look like)) I can imagine that they might get used to the idea of death and ending it.
I got used to the feeling, but it never stopped hurting. I'm a lot better now, but still need to address the lingering effects.