David Benatar is the world’s leading ‘antinatalist’ philosopher. His controversial book ‘Better Never To Have Been’ argues that the suffering of existence always outweighs any potential good and that it is morally wrong to bring new human beings into the world. A small but growing community of Antinatalists believe that we should stop reproducing and allow h ... Show More
Oct 7
Are the Christmas stories history — or legend?
The birth narratives of Jesus contain some of the most famous stories in Christianity: the virgin birth, angels and shepherds, the Magi, the star of Bethlehem and Herod’s massacre of the innocents. But did Matthew and Luke actually intend their readers to believe these events hap ... Show More
1h 11m
Oct 7
Is Christianity making a comeback? Pat Allerton on faith, atheism and the search for meaning
Pat Allerton joins Luke Martin to explore the growing openness to Christianity, the search for meaning and why faith may be returning to the cultural conversation. From science and the resurrection to anxiety, healing and his own dramatic conversion, Pat makes the case for why Ch ... Show More
1h 15m
Apr 2020
#12 — David Benatar | Is It Immoral To Have Children?
<p>Professor David Benatar is a South African philosopher, academic and author, and head of the philosophy department at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He is best known for his defence of antinatalism, the view that it is immoral to have children (though more specif ... Show More
1h 27m
Apr 2023
#107 — Is Life Actually Worth Living?
Sam Harris speaks with David Benatar about his philosophy of “anti-natalism.” They discuss the asymmetry between the good and bad things in life, the ethics of existential risk, the moral landscape, the limits and paradoxes of introspection, the “experience machine” thought exper ... Show More
49m 15s
Sep 2014
Episode 54: Pooping on Ecstasy (Pain, Pleasure, and the Ethics of Breeding)
<p>Tamler and David get bullied into talking about "anti-natalism," (the view that it is unethical to bring a being into existence), and to defend our ethical position as "breeders." Well, one of us defends it, at least. The other one? Well, you'll have to judge for yourself... A ... Show More
1h 17m
Dec 2017
#107 — Is Life Actually Worth Living?
<p class="p1">Sam Harris speaks with David Benatar about his philosophy of "anti-natalism." They discuss the asymmetry between the good and bad things in life, the ethics of existential risk, the moral landscape, the limits and paradoxes of introspection, the "experience machine" ... Show More
48m 55s
May 2023
If I'm Suffering, Is It Better Never to Be Born?
The question of evil, suffering and brokenness in our world can be a hard one to grapple with. Sometimes, when we're in a place of darkness, the question can arise, "Would it be better if I had never been born?" Today, Fr. Mike tackles these incredibly tough questions and offers ... Show More
9m 46s