Keeping our eggs in earth's basket: the anti-natalist case against space colonisation
Date
2018
Authors
Visser, Rehan Pieter
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Abstract
The morality of space colonisation is yet to receive thorough examination from philosophers. I seek to address this deficit by making a case against colonising space. This case rests on a defence of antinatalism through four arguments (an argument from Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative; David Benatar’s axiological asymmetry argument; Benatar’s argument from quality of life; and Benatar’s misanthropic argument) and an accompanying stance in favour of (non-objectionable) extinction. I respond to challenges and objections against both positions and show that they fail. Because space colonisation, if successful, will likely extend humanity’s lifespan, this makes it a morally indefensible activity, insofar as it entails suffering on the part of sentient beings. I consequently argue that space colonisation ought to be prohibited. I recommend that this prohibition take the form of various additions and changes to existing international space law
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts.
Submitted in
July, 2018, in Johannesburg
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Citation
Visser, Rehan Pieter (2018) 0 Keeping our eggs in earth's basket:|bthe anti-natalist case against space colonisation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/27121>