Unless there is some higher plane of existence experiencing life is inconsequential. Suffering and joy alike. Nothingness does not appreciate anything.
So I have to evaluate here on earth if the value of some joy outweighs the suffering experienced. The only case I can say that it matters, for myself, is when my own joy brought others joy. That was the only thing that was worth it.
when my own joy brought others joy. That was the only thing that was worth it.
If that’s something you truly value, then you should absolutely have kids. There is no joy greater than that which a child feels, especially one with a loving family.
I also don’t think experiencing life is inconsequential. Sure, it doesn’t have some grand cosmic consequence. Our existence has virtually 0 impact on nearly all of reality. But that’s not the only way to define something as consequential. What’s important to me is my life and the lives of those I care about (which extends far beyond just the people I know personally). My kids’ existence has been enormously consequential for many people who I care about, and my life has been enormously consequential on that of my kids.
I don’t need some grand cosmic meaning behind that. The meaning of life is whatever you choose to make of it. For me, that’s providing as much enjoyment and fulfillment to my family as I can.
Unless there is some higher plane of existence experiencing life is inconsequential. Suffering and joy alike. Nothingness does not appreciate anything.
So I have to evaluate here on earth if the value of some joy outweighs the suffering experienced. The only case I can say that it matters, for myself, is when my own joy brought others joy. That was the only thing that was worth it.
If that’s something you truly value, then you should absolutely have kids. There is no joy greater than that which a child feels, especially one with a loving family.
I also don’t think experiencing life is inconsequential. Sure, it doesn’t have some grand cosmic consequence. Our existence has virtually 0 impact on nearly all of reality. But that’s not the only way to define something as consequential. What’s important to me is my life and the lives of those I care about (which extends far beyond just the people I know personally). My kids’ existence has been enormously consequential for many people who I care about, and my life has been enormously consequential on that of my kids.
I don’t need some grand cosmic meaning behind that. The meaning of life is whatever you choose to make of it. For me, that’s providing as much enjoyment and fulfillment to my family as I can.