Venting If people had the opportunity to choose whether or not to be born

[Darkover]

If people had the opportunity to choose whether or not to be born—armed with full knowledge of the specific lives they would lead—it's likely that many would decline. While some claim to be glad they were born, such statements are often made from within the inertia of existence, after attachments have formed, and in the absence of a real alternative. The hypothetical question—Would you choose to be born, knowing everything your life would entail?—introduces a level of informed consent that actual birth lacks. Many people endure lives marked by relentless suffering, injustice, or alienation, and some openly express regret at having been born. Even among those who profess contentment, one must ask: is their affirmation a product of genuine fulfillment, or of psychological adaptation, rationalization, or fear of non-existence? Given the prevalence of suffering, and the existential uncertainties that accompany human life, it's reasonable to believe that far fewer people would volunteer for existence than the number who are born into it without choice. The sheer fact that birth is never consented to—yet carries inevitable hardship—raises serious ethical questions about the morality of bringing new life into being.

 

[Carrot]

The answer is no, but maybe at some point it would be yes? If you asked me X years ago? Depends when you asked.

It's possible that we agreed to this and don't even remember.

 

[Forever Sleep]

It's an interesting idea in itself because it assumes that everything is predetermined. For example- you'll meet the love of your life aged 20. Knowing that, would you make more effort to be around people or, less? Could a person screw up, or escape their destiny?

Also meaning that we have no control whatsoever on what happens to us. Does that even sound likely though? Every detail of your life mapped out- no matter what you end up deciding to do?

How could we even decide that life sounded good or bad, without having any experience of it? Do we know what good and bad is when we aren't a physical body in space? Maybe a 'virtual' trial period would be needed with the very best pleasure and very worst pain possible demonstrated.

Wouldn't it be more likely we could only be presented with a list of potential outcomes- according to our genes, parents, location, financial backing etc? So- what if we were all given the best case scenario and, the worst. Some people realise they have/ had the potential to be more. If they were given the impression that best case scenario was possible, maybe they would actually go for it.

It's hard to know. We're looking at things with the 'benefit' of hindsight. Were you born a nihilist? Probably not. Just as it may not be 'natural' to kid ourselves with coping platitudes, it's just as, if not more unnatural to be a pesimist from the very get go.

Also, we would have to be alive in some sense, plus very self aware and capable of reasoning to make that choice. If you say 'no', what happens? They put you to sleep permanently or, they just leave you in limbo till another 'opportunity' presents itself? Like an unborn soul waiting room? Maybe 'souls' choose to be born just to make something happen! Got to be pretty boring just hanging around. Not alive or dead.

 

[divinemistress36]

It's an interesting idea in itself because it assumes that everything is predetermined. For example- you'll meet the love of your life aged 20. Knowing that, would you make more effort to be around people or, less? Could a person screw up, or escape their destiny?

Also meaning that we have no control whatsoever on what happens to us. Does that even sound likely though? Every detail of your life mapped out- no matter what you end up deciding to do?

How could we even decide that life sounded good or bad, without having any experience of it? Do we know what good and bad is when we aren't a physical body in space? Maybe a 'virtual' trial period would be needed with the very best pleasure and very worst pain possible demonstrated.

Wouldn't it be more likely we could only be presented with a list of potential outcomes- according to our genes, parents, location, financial backing etc? So- what if we were all given the best case scenario and, the worst. Some people realise they have/ had the potential to be more. If they were given the impression that best case scenario was possible, maybe they would actually go for it.

It's hard to know. We're looking at things with the 'benefit' of hindsight. Were you born a nihilist? Probably not. Just as it may not be 'natural' to kid ourselves with coping platitudes, it's just as, if not more unnatural to be a pesimist from the very get go.

Also, we would have to be alive in some sense, plus very self aware and capable of reasoning to make that choice. If you say 'no', what happens? They put you to sleep permanently or, they just leave you in limbo till another 'opportunity' presents itself? Like an unborn soul waiting room? Maybe 'souls' choose to be born just to make something happen! Got to be pretty boring just hanging around. Not alive or dead.

I deeply regret if my soul chose all these hardships. I would smack my higher self

 

[davidtorez]

1. Premise 1: Creation of life guarantees the risk of suffering.
2. Premise 2: Non-existence guarantees the absence of suffering.
3. Premise 3: Avoiding harm is the highest moral priority.
4. Conclusion: Therefore, choosing non-existence is the ethically superior choice because it avoids the risk of suffering (chat gpt) assisted with this deductive argument

 

[lavenderlilylies]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would choose to be here, even if their lives were a net positive experience. It's just unnecessary. Like, would you rather have peace or go to war knowing you'd win, but suffer nonetheless. Choosing to engage, or worse force someone into an overall negative existence for the slim chance of goodness is stupid

 

[davidtorez]

I don't think anyone in their right mind would choose to be here, even if their lives were a net positive experience. It's just unnecessary. Like, would you rather have peace or go to war knowing you'd win, but suffer nonetheless. Choosing to engage, or worse force someone into an overall negative existence for the slim chance of goodness is stupid

That's a great analogy!

 

[Morte]

i would definitely choose not to be born into the life i have now, but if i could choose the kind of life i would have, including the course it would take, maybe.

 

[timechained]

The hypothetical question—Would you choose to be born, knowing everything your life would entail?

The decision could be made in the womb, not necessarily in pre-existence..

Although it becomes eerily realistic if you add the condition that you would not be able to remember that it was your own decision to experience this world at any moment.

I would like to be given the choice to continue to exist without knowing the future, or instantly cease to exist without knowing what comes next!?

 

[idontwanttosuffer]

It depends. I just wish I get a chance to go back into the past and fix few choices I made. Just one choice would do.

 

[theboy]

So utopic

 

[LigottiIsRight]

Undoubtedly I'd choose not to be born, at least not being me. There are a handful of people whose lives I find interesting and enjoyable enough that I wouldn't mind being born as them.

 

[lawlietsph]

i would definitely choose to not be born. all i've ever experienced was suffering and pain and deep, paralyzing fear. i think only religious people are attached to this life at all cost, but i could be wrong. i truly, deeply wish my mother aborted me back then because this pain that i feel in my soul is unbearable and it never stops, not for a single second