Finneron-Burns, E. M. (Elizabeth Mary) (2017) What’s wrong with human extinction? Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 47 (2-3). pp. 327-343. doi:10.1080/00455091.2016.1278150

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Abstract

This paper explores what could be wrong with the fact of human extinction. I first present four reasons why we might consider human extinction to be wrong: (1) it would prevent millions of people from being born; (2) it would mean the loss of rational life and civilization; (3) it would cause existing people to suffer pain or death; (4) it would involve various psychological traumas. I argue that looking at the question from a contractualist perspective, only reasons (3) and (4) are admissible. I then consider what implications this limitation on reasons has for the wrongfulness of various forms of human extinction.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Human beings -- Extinction -- Philosphy
Journal or Publication Title:	Canadian Journal of Philosophy
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	0045-5091
Official Date:	16 January 2017
Dates:	Date Event 16 January 2017 Published 29 December 2016 Accepted
Date of first compliant deposit:	28 June 2017
Volume:	47
Number:	2-3
Page Range:	pp. 327-343
DOI:	10.1080/00455091.2016.1278150
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Sweden. Vetenskapsrådet [Research Council]

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