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Better Never to Have Been: The Harm Of Coming Into Existence Paperback – Illustrated, 15 Sept. 2008

by David Benatar (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 313 ratings
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Most people believe that they were either benefited or at least not harmed by being brought into existence. Thus, if they ever do reflect on whether they should bring others into existence---rather than having children without even thinking about whether they should---they presume that they do them no harm. Better Never to Have Been challenges these assumptions. David Benatar argues that coming into existence is always a serious harm. Although the good things in one's life make one's life go better than it otherwise would have gone, one could not have been deprived by their absence if one had not existed. Those who never exist cannot be deprived. However, by coming into existence one does suffer quite serious harms that could not have befallen one had one not come into existence. Drawing on the relevant psychological literature, the author shows that there are a number of well-documented features of human psychology that explain why people systematically overestimate the quality of their lives and why they are thus resistant to the suggestion that they were seriously harmed by being brought into existence. The author then argues for the 'anti-natal' view---that it is always wrong to have children---and he shows that combining the anti-natal view with common pro-choice views about foetal moral status yield a "pro-death" view about abortion (at the earlier stages of gestation). Anti-natalism also implies that it would be better if humanity became extinct. Although counter-intuitive for many, that implication is defended, not least by showing that it solves many conundrums of moral theory about population.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0199549265
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0199549269
  3. Edition
    Illustrated
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press, Usa
  5. Publication date
    15 Sept. 2008
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    19.81 x 13.46 x 1.52 cm
  8. Print length
    237 pages
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Product description

Review

This isn't a new book, but it is generating increasing discussion in university departments and elsewhere: hence this review... If you enjoy an ethical challenge, then read this book. ― Malcolm Torry, Triple Helix

For those who admire really careful and imaginative argumentation, and are interested in either issues of life and death, or the foundations of morality, it's a must read ― Harry Brighouse, Out of the Crooked Timber

Benatar's discussion is clear and intelligent. ― Yujin Nagasawa MIND

Book Description

Most people believe that they were either benefited or at least not harmed by being brought into existence. David Benatar presents a startling challenge to these assumptions.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press, Usa
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 15 Sept. 2008
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 237 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199549265
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199549269
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 295 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.81 x 13.46 x 1.52 cm
  • Best Sellers Rank: 144,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 313 ratings

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David Benatar

David Benatar

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
313 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book highly thought-provoking and worth reading, with clear writing and easy-to-understand argumentation. The academic content receives mixed reactions, with some appreciating its depth while others find it dense and difficult to follow.

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ReadabilityThought provokingWriting styleArgumentationAcademic content
7 customers mention ‘Readability’6 positive1 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth reading, with one describing it as phenomenal.

"...and logical manner, and the analysis he carries out is masterful and compelling...." Read more

"...been more concise with his phraseology, but nonetheless it was a good read and gave me comfort in knowing that I am not alone in my beliefs." Read more

"Captivating and intellectually stimulating argumentation on a series of serious subjects...." Read more

"...It is also well written and interesting, though occasionally I found it a little academic/dense for my own tastes...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’4 positive1 negative

Customers find the book highly thought-provoking and eye-opening, with one customer noting how clearly it explains the philosophy and another highlighting its in-depth discussion of the antinatalist position.

"Phenomenal. Perhaps the most profound, important and certainly the most eye-opening book I have ever read, and I've read alot of philosophy - way..." Read more

"...in a very calculated and logical manner, and the analysis he carries out is masterful and compelling...." Read more

"This book discusses the antinatalist position in depth and it explains the philosophy very clearly...." Read more

"An illusion shattering book..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Writing style’3 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book.

"This book is nicely written and his argument is easy to understand fairly early in...." Read more

"...It is also well written and interesting, though occasionally I found it a little academic/dense for my own tastes...." Read more

"...Benatar goes through the basics are admittedly a little dull and dryly-written, however once I reached the last section of the third chapter "A..." Read more

"...Thomas Ligotti’s “The Conspiracy Against The Human Race”, it’s more literary and less heavy on Philosophy and he refers back to this book in his." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Argumentation’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the argumentation in the book, with one describing it as intellectually stimulating and another noting that it is easy to understand.

"...because it deviates strongly from the norm, but Benatar's argument is thought-provoking and not too difficult to digest...." Read more

"Captivating and intellectually stimulating argumentation on a series of serious subjects...." Read more

"This book is nicely written and his argument is easy to understand fairly early in...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Academic content’2 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the academic content of the book, with some appreciating its serious subjects, while others find it dense and difficult to read.

"...A very taboo subject and it couldn't have had someone better to set it out in such an unbiased and unemotional way...." Read more

"...and intellectually stimulating argumentation on a series of serious subjects. On the emotional side however, reading this book made me feel suicidal." Read more

"...well written and interesting, though occasionally I found it a little academic/dense for my own tastes...." Read more

"...Conspiracy Against The Human Race”, it’s more literary and less heavy on Philosophy and he refers back to this book in his." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Myron Zhang
    5.0 out of 5 stars Antinatalism explained as it should be
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I was an antinatalist before reading this book, but now that sentiment has been cemented after having finished it. I recommend anyone to be openminded to the subject matter it covers, because it deviates strongly from the norm, but Benatar's argument is thought-provoking and not too difficult to digest. At times it felt like he was repeating himself and could have been more concise with his phraseology, but nonetheless it was a good read and gave me comfort in knowing that I am not alone in my beliefs.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • D. Moffat
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable thought provoking read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2010
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is nicely written and his argument is easy to understand fairly early in.

    His argument rests on an intuitive asymmetry between the 'good' that is the 'absence of pain', and the 'not bad(ness)' (or neutralness) that is the 'absence of pleasure'. His argument also turns on the distinction between two ways of talking about 'a life worth living'. We can (and ought to) separate our ideas on 'a life worth starting' from 'a life worth continuing'. This is very important. Where as some lives may be worth continuing (he agrees most are) NO life is worth starting. If i come down with a painful condition i may consider my life to still be worth continuing. However if i am faced with the choice whether to create a being who has such a condition it is As all life contains guaranteed harm the interests of a conceivable person are best served by not creating them.

    I am unsure the problem some of the other commentators have with this. This is a good argument.

    I think where one might want to attack his position, however, will be by rejecting the assumed asymmetry. But, as Benatar himself notes (near the end), such will be difficult to do without spawning other counter intuitive results. I would probably want to still go down this line - though i think his conclusion is right

    Either way, i highly recommend this book
    31 people found this helpful
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  • mintymoor
    5.0 out of 5 stars An important book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 June 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Its a bit of a taboo subject, this, so its wonderful to see it in book form. Its perspective on life is something I have always felt on some level. I have awarded the book 5 stars, mainly for its courage in being written! It is also well written and interesting, though occasionally I found it a little academic/dense for my own tastes.

    May I also recommend "On The Suffering Of the World" by Arthur Schopenhauer, a pamphlet book written over 100 years ago, but beautifully and freshly written on more-or-less the same subject.
    28 people found this helpful
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  • harry becker
    4.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT - ORIGINAL
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    we all have to start thinking along these lines. excellent.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Aeraphos
    5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on Antinatalism
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 September 2014
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This book discusses the antinatalist position in depth and it explains the philosophy very clearly. It first explains why coming into existence is a harm, the magnitude of the harm and then goes on to discuss the conclusions (that suffering is a harm and life contains a great deal of it) implications on procreation, abortion, population, suicide and the idea that humanity should work towards it's own extinction.

    The first few sections of the book where Benatar goes through the basics are admittedly a little dull and dryly-written, however once I reached the last section of the third chapter "A word of suffering", things started to get interesting as the philosophy of antinatilism is applied to the real world. We get to see the implications it has on civilization, controversial issues and other philosophies.

    The Kindle version was great for the most part with the only problem being that the table of contents, where the chapter options should be, requires you to click on a "table of contents" button to go to the actual table of contents so you can choose a chapter, but it doesn't real matter because it's only one extra click.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Dan H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading just for an alternative view of life and existence.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 January 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a tough read for a beginner but it is “doable” and a very interesting a none main stream concept that has some merit.

    I’d also highly recommend Thomas Ligotti’s “The Conspiracy Against The Human Race”, it’s more literary and less heavy on Philosophy and he refers back to this book in his.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • ROB
    3.0 out of 5 stars ?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2019
    Format: Paperback
    No one is born and no one dies so there is no one to suffer.
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  • l
    5.0 out of 5 stars the most eye opening book I have EVER read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 December 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Phenomenal. Perhaps the most profound, important and certainly the most eye-opening book I have ever read, and I've read alot of philosophy - way back from the Ancient Greeks. If I had it my way, Chapters 2 and 3 would be mandatory reading in all high schools - the topic needs to be discussed and really thought about.

    A very taboo subject and it couldn't have had someone better to set it out in such an unbiased and unemotional way. It really does antinatalism justice.
    15 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Positive Thinker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual But Worthwhile
    Reviewed in the United States on 7 June 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I'm giving this book 5 stars mainly on the basis that books that deal with topics, or express opinions, that are very unusual, particularly in the field of human behavior, jolt us out of complacency and make us think. The main theme of the book that the author attempts to develop is his opinion that it is never a good thing, and is (nearly) always wrong, to create new sentient life because sentient lives created are always subject to what he believes is more bad than good, and that lives never created cannot be either subject to this bad or deprived in any way.

    I can agree -- since it is pretty obvious -- that lives never created cannot be deprived in any way. I can also agree that, in general, people really need to give more thought to whether they are suitable to be parents, financially, emotionally, and otherwise. I agree that human overpopulation is destroying this planet, I wrote a college thesis on this many years ago. I don't think it is very debatable that religions or other philosophies such as nationalism and special interests such as the corporate/business economy that push reproduction at any cost are doing a vast amount of harm and creating immeasurable suffering -- this has been a topic of widely read books.

    What I am not convinced of in reading this book is that the author has proven his point that procreation is always (or nearly always, as he vacillates on this), for everyone, morally and practically wrong. He uses pure philosophical reasoning and gyrations but does not stop to examine the most fundamental premises on which the arguments are based. One can sometimes, but not always and probably not even often, decide that a condition is "bad" or regrettable and have it apply universally. This is patently false collectivist and stereotypical thinking.

    While I agree (again it is pretty obvious) that people procreate based on their own needs and interests rather than the needs and interests of their progeny, selfish reasons for procreation can be very good reasons. For example, many people selfishly want children because they are lovers of life and people and want to give this love to a child. Many people have worked very hard on themselves and know they would be good role models for their kids. The author acknowledges this but insists adoption would better fulfill these needs. Again, that would depend on the individuals; people have the right to make their own reproductive decisions.

    The author has not brought in any opinions from expert figures in human psychology and this is a serious weakness. For only one example, Aaron Beck, the founder of Cognitive Behavioral Psychology, I think would be rolling in his grave were he to read this book. Beck showed us how we are prone to cognitive or thinking errors of the pessimistic sort and how we tend to let such premises slide by in much of our thinking.

    Added to this, we are all individuals -- what affects us and how it affects us is subject to tremendous variation. Shinzen Young's The Science of Enlightenment and others that back up the evidence he presents on meditation have agreed that a serious meditation practice can eventually lead to a condition of happiness, independent of conditions, and this includes most conditions. While this is not an excuse for irresponsible reproduction, which I vehemently oppose, it still tends to show that extreme statements such as that all sentient life on balance entails mainly suffering can be rationally challenged. The author's premise may on balance be correct -- for reasons additional to what he gives -- but by the same token it may be false -- there is really no way to know.

    By making us think more deeply about reproduction, this book is worthwhile but I see as a detraction that the author overstated the case.

    Lastly, let's assume for the sake of argument that the author's premise is correct ... it will never make a difference anyway. Evolution of sentient life from basic chemicals on this planet is a paradigm for the entire universe, which is unlimited in space and time. There are an infinite number of planets "out there" with conditions suitable for evolution of life; this has always been and will always be going on, as life is created and destroyed. How soon life will be destroyed on earth is unknown, but what is certain is that earth is an infinitesimal speck in an endless universe in which nature dictates that life is born and evolves to become more complex and sentient over time, be that good, bad, or indifferent.

    Bottom line, a worthwhile read from an author who is courageous enough to express a highly unorthodox opinion.
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  • DuBois
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
    Reviewed in France on 29 July 2025
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    Not always easy to read, but a necessary book and thinking. In future editions it may be advisable to be more detailed and granular in describing the many forms of human suffering.
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  • Fredrix
    1.0 out of 5 stars Wouldn’t recommend this book
    Reviewed in India on 22 May 2025
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This book is not for normal and depressed people
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  • Tarek
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
    Reviewed in Canada on 28 March 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It's really incredible I appreciate his perspective on how not existing is actually a privilege over living beings and I agree 💯 it changed my view in life in a positive way [ recommended ]
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  • Cliente de Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very important book
    Reviewed in Spain on 18 November 2020
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    A must read. The author makes a very strong case for antinatalism. Looking forward to reading The Human Predicament by the same author.
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