The book "Better Never to Have Been" challenges the belief that existence is beneficial. David Benatar argues that coming into existence is always a serious harm. Although the good elements in a person's life may make it better, their absence does not constitute a loss if one has not existed. People who have never existed cannot suffer. However, coming into existence brings serious harms that would not occur if no one existed at all. The author, based on psychology, demonstrates that people systematically overestimate the quality of their lives and are averse to the idea that they have suffered serious harms due to their existence. Furthermore, he proposes the 'anti-natalist' view - that it is always wrong to bring children into the world - and connects this view to progressive opinions regarding the moral status of embryos, leading to a 'pro-death' stance on early-stage abortions. Anti-natalism also implies that it would be better if humanity were to become extinct. This position, although contrary to the intuition of many, is supported with the argument that it resolves various ethical theories concerning population.

Pages: 256, Dimensions: 13.5x13.5cm