Sunday, March 3, 2013

Anti-Natalism: The Obscure Ideology


Undoubtedly, a variety of societal norms have been imposed on human beings through the implementation and promulgation of the necessary ideological apparatuses. Pro-natalist messages and philosophies are rampant in contemporary society and numerous people do not question the unethical decision to procreate. Countering and refuting such pro-natalist ideology is necessary in order to facilitate the development of anti-natalism as an alternative to popularized conceptions or interpretations regarding the value of life. It would be disingenuous to proclaim that no one is cognizant of the philosophical framework supporting anti-natalism. However, it would be more reasonable to assert that anti-natalism is an obscure ideology due to the fact that it is suppressed by cultural norms and is in direct opposition to biological functions. Promoting anti-natalism through literature, film, etc. is imperative in introducing the philosophy, however, one has to inquire about whether these practices are effective in persuading pro-natalists to discard their philosophical positions or, at the minimum, reconsider what they consider to be an undisputed philosophical axiom. As an anti-natalist, I have discussed the philosophical assertions behind anti-natalism and have considered the implications that would naturally result from accepting such an ideology. Regrettably, when I attempt to debate the subject of anti-natalism with others in my surroundings, I weave through a constant influx of ad-hominem attacks, misconceptions, and other communication barriers. Anti-natalism, as previously stated, is diametrically-opposed to cultural conventions and an inherent biological mechanism whose sole function is to enable mindless reproduction. Considering all that I have stated, I must pose a question to the anti-natalist (or pro-natalist) in this closeted corner of the Internet: What hope or possibility is there that anti-natalism will thrive and flourish among a world in which it is shunned and dismissed without significant consideration?