What’s the problem with overpopulation? It’s that resources get used up and the world can’t support everybody. And what’s the problem with that? People die.
No, my problem with overpopulation is that people suffer. (And then die in addition to that).
That said, I understand and mostly share your optimism about the results of increased standard of living.
No, my problem with overpopulation is that people suffer. (And then die in addition to that).
That position would only make consistent sense in a world where aging doesn’t cause suffering. Have you been to a nursing home recently? Seen how many painkillers senescent individuals tend to take on a regular basis to mask the symptoms of their diseases?
But if painkillers are a satisfactory solution for the suffering of aging, why do we not propose them to address the suffering of starvation? Surely dying of hunger is not such a bad subjective experience if you can do it while high on morphine.
No, my problem with overpopulation is that people suffer. (And then die in addition to that).
That said, I understand and mostly share your optimism about the results of increased standard of living.
That position would only make consistent sense in a world where aging doesn’t cause suffering. Have you been to a nursing home recently? Seen how many painkillers senescent individuals tend to take on a regular basis to mask the symptoms of their diseases?
But if painkillers are a satisfactory solution for the suffering of aging, why do we not propose them to address the suffering of starvation? Surely dying of hunger is not such a bad subjective experience if you can do it while high on morphine.
If we have a way to prevent everyone in the world from suffering due to malnutrition, I’d consider that a win either way.