I’m going to assume that we’re comparing “having a child” vs. “adopting a child” as opposed to “having a child” vs. “lolrandomly dumping a ton of money into [insert charity here]” …although, arguably, the utility generated by adoption and donation should be pretty close to equal.
adopting a child has obvious positive utility benefits. there’s the joy of getting out of the orphanage, the toys you buy him, the food he eats, etc. etc. etc.
having a child has those same benefits, BUT the child you would have adopted would still exist, and would still have positive utility of his own, (unless you are in a completely primitive society in which orphans have literally NO chance of success) thus resulting in higher utility
I’m going to assume that we’re comparing “having a child” vs. “adopting a child” as opposed to “having a child” vs. “lolrandomly dumping a ton of money into [insert charity here]”
Rachels’ argument is specifically that you should not have kids and instead donate the money.
arguably, the utility generated by adoption and donation should be pretty close to equal
Why would you expect that? $50 to the AMF gets someone someone around an additional year of healthy life. That’s really hard to compete with.
I’m going to assume that we’re comparing “having a child” vs. “adopting a child” as opposed to “having a child” vs. “lolrandomly dumping a ton of money into [insert charity here]” …although, arguably, the utility generated by adoption and donation should be pretty close to equal.
adopting a child has obvious positive utility benefits. there’s the joy of getting out of the orphanage, the toys you buy him, the food he eats, etc. etc. etc.
having a child has those same benefits, BUT the child you would have adopted would still exist, and would still have positive utility of his own, (unless you are in a completely primitive society in which orphans have literally NO chance of success) thus resulting in higher utility
Rachels’ argument is specifically that you should not have kids and instead donate the money.
Why would you expect that? $50 to the AMF gets someone someone around an additional year of healthy life. That’s really hard to compete with.