The Risk of a Lifetime: How, When, and Why Procreation May Be Permissible

by Rivka Weinberg

Having children is probably as old as the first successful organism. It is often done thoughtlessly. This book is an argument for giving procreating some serious thought, and a theory of how, when, and why procreation may be permissible.

Rivka Weinberg begins with an analysis of the kind of act procreativity is and why we might be justifiably motivated to engage in it. She then proceeds to argue that, by virtue of our ownership and control of the hazardous material that is our gametes, we are parentally responsible for the risks we take with our gametes and for the persons that develop when we engage in activity that allows our gametes to unite with others and develop into persons. Further argument establishes that when done respectfully, and in cases where the child's chances of leading a life of human flourishing are high, procreation may be permissible.

Along the way, Weinberg argues that the non-identity problem is a curiously common mistake. Arguments intending to show that procreation is impermissible because life is bad for people and imposed on them without their consent are shown to have serious flaws. Yet because they leave us with lingering concerns, Weinberg argues that although procreation is permissible under certain conditions, it is not only a welfare risk but also a moral risk.

Still, it is a risk that is often permissible for us to take and impose, given our high level of legitimate interest in procreativity. In order to ascertain when the procreative risk is permissible to impose, contractualist principles are proposed to fairly attend to the interests prospective parents have in procreating and the interests future people have in a life of human flourishing. The principles are assessed on their own merits and in comparison with rival principles. They are then applied to a wide variety of procreative cases.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

280 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2015

Reviews

[Allison Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I think it’s a pretty good book. Most of the arguments presented are reasonable (whether you agree or not) and I think that the author ties them together well. I have two main issues: 1)The books feels very disorganized at times, things that are introduced in chapter 1 are then expanded elsewhere, and sometimes within the chapter it jumps from idea to idea without really stating what the point is before going to next topic. I get its philosophy but this book would not be accessible to people with little to no philosophy background in my opinion. 2) It’s very repetitive, things are dragged out with no additional support or reason to continue arguing the point. She makes an argument, defends it, then keeps going with no additional proof or evidence.

[Hanna Piatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It just got very repetitive.
Weinberg approaches procreation in a very logical yet hopeful way, despite her reservations. Her ability to state her personal beliefs and perspectives while laying them aside to assess the validity of claims and the logic of actions inclines me to value her principles of procreation highly.
Essentially - procreation is a HUGE risk (akin to owning radioactive material) that we must be careful with. But with proper motivation and balance between parental and future child interests it is permissible. I find myself agreeing.

[Æ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very interesting, but it’s written at a PhD-level of comprehension. It’s not at all accessible to the layman. I failed to finish reading this one. Read a review/news article about it if the topic interests you. I only read about 60% of it. Do Not Recommend.

[Mills College Library]

176 W4233 2015