The philosophers view the concept of life and death from different angles. Parfit (2004) claims that the situation differs because the conditions of people’s lives vary. This claim implies that if the life of a person is beneficial, then this life is worthy. On the contrary, if a person suffers, it would be better for an individual not to exist. This argument is reasonable because it introduces the explanations of different options and the analysis of the consequences.
A person may support this claim by offering the idea about the existence of various circumstances and the relativity of people’s lives, introducing the details. On the other hand, some individuals may contradict the author’s argument, claiming that there should be one truth and one single solution to the issue. The author argues that if a person is never born, there is no one “who never exists” (Parfit, 2004, p.120). This idea implies that the writer uses the feelings of people to explain the worthiness of human life.
One of the most controversial points is that death and never-existence can be compared. Mainly, the philosophers may argue that the difference is significant between these two states. This assertion stands out because it regards the theme of life, death, and the afterlife, which is always debatable. If it were possible to address the author, it would be relevant to ask whether the philosopher would prefer life or death in his situation. Perhaps, he would reply that it depends on his analysis of his whole life in general.
This idea of the thinker is reasonable because it can be compared with the social issue of death penalties. Mainly, the theme explored in the reading is significant because it might help understand whether capital punishment is justified. The author’s position is that people deserve existence when their life benefits them. This point can be supported by the claim that humans’ lives should also serve the lives of others.
Reference
Parfit, D. (2004). Whether causing someone to exist can benefit this person. In D. Benatar, Life, death & meaning: Key philosophical readings on the big questions (pp. 119-124). Rowman & Littlefield.