Voluntary Human Extinction is Not the Answer with Ben Ware

Thursday June 6th
Doors & drinks 6.30pm; Talk starts 7pm.

In his latest book, On Extinction: Beginning Again at the End, philosopher and social theorist Ben Ware explores what it might mean - in our current moment of crisis and catastrophe - to re-think our sense of what it is to be human.

For this talk, Ben will focus on anti-natalism: the idea that the human species is morally obligated to bring about its own extinction by refusing to procreate. In the ecological variant of this position, voluntary human extinction is considered necessary in order to protect nature.

Ben will examine the rich intellectual history of the anti-natalist position, before going on to make a number of philosophical and psychoanalytic criticisms of it. He will put forward an alternative vision to what he sees as the specific Western pathology of species shame, arguing that our aim should not be simply to avert the worst, but rather to collectively re-find ourselves in the midst of catastrophe itself.

Ben's talk will be followed by a one-pot vegan supper and discussion.

Kairos, 84 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TG

Doors open at 6.30pm for drinks. Talk starts at 7pm.

£8 Kairos Club Member, £15 Non-member, £10 Struggling financially, £20 Supporter. Food and drinks complimentary.