Also, it’s certainly not common sense that it is always better to have less beings with higher welfare. It’s not common sense that a world with 10 incredibly happy people is better than one with a billion very slightly less happy people.
And not every theory that avoids the repugnant conclusion delivers this result, either.
No—and I wasn’t meaning to say that less beings with higher welfare is always better. Like I said, I don’t think the common sense view will be philosophically satisfying.
But a second common sense view is: if there are some beings whose existence depends on harming others, then them not coming into existence is preferable.
I expect you can find some counter-example to that, but I think most people will believe this in most situations (and certainly those involving parasites).
Also, it’s certainly not common sense that it is always better to have less beings with higher welfare. It’s not common sense that a world with 10 incredibly happy people is better than one with a billion very slightly less happy people.
And not every theory that avoids the repugnant conclusion delivers this result, either.
No—and I wasn’t meaning to say that less beings with higher welfare is always better. Like I said, I don’t think the common sense view will be philosophically satisfying.
But a second common sense view is: if there are some beings whose existence depends on harming others, then them not coming into existence is preferable.
I expect you can find some counter-example to that, but I think most people will believe this in most situations (and certainly those involving parasites).