Producing and rearing children are immensely important human activities. This collection offers new and original essays by leading philosophers on some of the main ethical issues raised by these activities. A clear introduction provides an overview of the current debates in this area while individual chapters focus on specific points.

• Preface


• 1: David Benatar and David Archard: Introduction


• 2: Tim Bayne: In defence of genethical parity


• 3: Mike Parker: An ordinary chance of a desirable existence


• 4: David Benatar: The limits of reproductive freedom


• 5: David Archard: The obligations and responsibilities of parenthood


• 6: Colin McLeod: Parental responsibilities in an unjust world


• 7: Elizabeth Brake: Willing parents: A voluntarist account of parental role obligations

David Archard has been Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at Lancaster University since 2003. Before that he taught at the Universities of Ulster and St Andrews. He has published widely in applied moral, political and legal philosophy, especially on the topics of children, family and state; and sexual morality and the law. He is Honorary Chair of the Society for Applied Philosophy.
David Benatar is Professor and Head of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town. He is the author of Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence (Oxford, 2006).