Explain clearly and critically discuss in detail David Benatar’s “asymmetry argument” for the thesis (nihilism) that, for any person, non-existence is preferable to existence. Benatar’s argument is presented in chapter two of his book Better Never To Have Lived. This argument is discussed in the lecture slides Nihilism part 2, slides 19-31. It is also discussed in Reading 3, Jean Kazez’s review of Benatar’s book, which is posted on CuLearn. You will be able to find additional discussions of Benatar’s argument online (but you’re not required to do this). Benatar’s argument is discussed by philosopher Elizabeth Harmon in “Critical Study, David Benatar, Better Never to Have Been”, in the Journal Nous, 43: 4 (2009) 778-785. You can get this by Googling ‘Elizabeth Harmon Benatar”, or go to: https://www.princeton.edu/~eharman/Benatar.pdf
Your task in your discussion is first to explain Benater’s asymmetry argument clearly
and then assess in detail whether it is convincing
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: An Analysis of David Benatar’s Asymmetry Argument for Nihilism
Introduction
David Benatar’s “asymmetry argument” posits the controversial thesis that non-existence is preferable to existence for any person. This argument, presented in chapter two of his book Better Never to Have Lived, challenges conventional notions about the value of life and raises profound questions about the nature of human existence. In this essay, we will first elucidate Benatar’s asymmetry argument and then critically assess its persuasiveness.
Benatar’s Asymmetry Argument
Benatar’s asymmetry argument revolves around the idea that the presence of suffering and pain in existence outweighs any possible benefits or pleasures that life may offer. He argues that the absence of suffering in non-existence is inherently better than the presence of suffering in existence. This forms the core of his thesis that non-existence is preferable to existence for any individual.
Critique of Benatar’s Asymmetry Argument
1. Lack of Consideration for Positive Aspects of Existence
One primary criticism of Benatar’s argument is its narrow focus on suffering and pain while neglecting the potential for joy, happiness, and fulfillment that life can bring. By emphasizing only the negative aspects of existence, Benatar overlooks the richness and diversity of human experiences that contribute to a meaningful life.
2. Subjective Nature of Preferences
Benatar’s assertion that non-existence is universally preferable to existence for all individuals raises questions about the subjective nature of preferences and values. What one person may perceive as suffering, another may view as a necessary challenge for personal growth and development. The diversity of human perspectives on life’s meaning and purpose complicates Benatar’s claim of a universal preference for non-existence.
3. Ethical Implications
The implications of Benatar’s nihilistic thesis extend to ethical considerations regarding procreation and the value of future generations. If non-existence is deemed preferable to existence, how should individuals reconcile this belief with decisions about bringing new life into the world? The ethical complexities arising from Benatar’s argument highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of human existence and its inherent complexities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, David Benatar’s asymmetry argument for nihilism challenges conventional beliefs about the value of existence and raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of human life. While his argument underscores the importance of acknowledging suffering and pain in the human experience, it falls short in its neglect of the multifaceted aspects of existence that contribute to personal growth, joy, and fulfillment. A critical assessment of Benatar’s asymmetry argument reveals the complexities of grappling with existential questions and underscores the need for a balanced perspective on the value of life.
