The Repugnant Conclusion: Essays on Population Ethics

Abstract

This is the first volume devoted entirely to the cardinal problem of modern population ethics, known as the Repugnant Conclusion. Most people, when faced with the fact that some of their cherished moral views lead up to the Repugnant Conclusion, feel that they have to revise their moral outlook. However, it is a moot question as to how this should be done. It is not an easy thing to say how one should avoid the Repugnant Conclusion, without having to face even more serious implications from one’s basic moral outlook. Several such attempts are presented in this volume.