Pro-mortalism

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bendk

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Palm Beach fertility clinic bomber documented plans in chilling online posts before attack.

MSN

Pro-mortalism is a form of radical anti-natalism. The FBI officer in charge of the case stated that they uncovered evidence at his home that he had dreams of "nihilistic ideation". I wonder what he was reading? Watching? Listening to? This would not be endorsed.

(Full article at above link)

Authorities have identified the perpetrator behind the weekend bombing at a fertility clinic in Palm Beach, California, as a 26-year-old suspect motivated by a fringe ideology known as "pro-mortalism."
"Pro-mortalism," a radical offshoot of anti-natalism, views human reproduction as inherently immoral and embraces death as a moral corrective.
According to federal and local law enforcement, the suspect targeted the American Reproductive Centers facility specifically to destroy human embryos stored on-site.
Surveillance footage and online postings suggest he parked in the rear of the building to remain unnoticed, ingested drugs, and then detonated an explosive device – killing himself in the process.
The FBI has classified the bombing as an act of domestic terrorism, citing the ideological motivation behind the violence that killed the suspect and injured four others.


 
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Published by S.C. Hickman on February 20, 2025.

Pro-Mortalism: the Bleak Universe of Thomas Ligotti | The Dark Fantastic: Literature, Philosophy, and Digital Arts

Claude AI summary:

Summary of "Exploring Pessimistic Philosophy in Literature"

The document explores pessimistic philosophical perspectives through the lens of fictional character Rust Cohle from HBO's "True Detective" and author Thomas Ligotti's work. It traces connections between various philosophical traditions centered on existential pessimism:

Key philosophical perspectives covered:
- Arthur Schopenhauer's concept of "will" as a blind, never-satisfied force driving all existence
- Anti-natalism: the belief that it's morally wrong to bring new lives into existence
- Pro-mortalism: the philosophical position that extinction/non-existence is preferable to life

Thomas Ligotti's views:
- Identifies as a "moral anti-realist" and "pro-mortalist" rather than anti-natalist
- Believes the absence of existing people is as desirable as preventing new births
- Acknowledges the practical impossibility of acting on these philosophical positions
- Expresses ambivalence about suicide due to its impact on others
- Advocates for euthanasia as more rational than suicide

The document analyzes Ligotti's short story "Metaphysica Morum":
- Features a protagonist seeking escape from existence through suicide
- Includes dreamworld encounters with a mysterious figure called "the Dealer"
- Protagonist is referred to as a "metaphysical mutant"
- Culminates in the protagonist obtaining means for suicide and embracing "demoralization"
- Presents demoralization as "the way of universal deliverance" and death as release from suffering

The document connects these fictional explorations to Ligotti's personal philosophy, noting that the author considers many of his stories "autobiography exaggerated," particularly in their exploration of dark existential themes.
 
Of course Ligotti is the first thing I thought of when I heard about this news in regards to 'anti natalism'
I am glad that no one was harmed in this attack other than the attacker.
It is a shame he could not use his skill and intelligence for something more useful for humanity.

If he truly believed we should not be born, then maybe he should have used his skill (it takes a lot of smarts to build a bomb that large) in helping other people who felt the same way, instead of attempting to 'help' innocents.
 
Sadly, I also thought of Ligotti following this tragedy. I haven't talked to Tom about the bombing, but I know he would be vehemently opposed to such action. There is nuance here. As I've said many times, Thomas Ligotti is no misanthrope--quite the contrary; he feels great empathy for the human race--nor is he in favor of the murder of others, which of course only increases human suffering.
 
I asked Claude AI:
What books would someone read to acquire a radical pro-mortalism philosophy?

It named the usual suspects: Cioran, Benatar, and Ligotti.

And ChatGPT:

One book that explores pro-mortalism is PROMORTALISM: A Study Of Existential Antinatalism & Existential Promortalism by Gontlemang General-Segolodi. It examines the philosophy that it is best for any mortal being to die as soon as possible.


TL's Conspiracy is again the #1 Best Seller in Philosophy Criticism.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/886132/ref=zg_b_bs_886132_1
 
chris_stibrany said:
Of course Ligotti is the first thing I thought of when I heard about this news in regards to 'anti natalism'
I am glad that no one was harmed in this attack other than the attacker.
It is a shame he could not use his skill and intelligence for something more useful for humanity.

If he truly believed we should not be born, then maybe he should have used his skill (it takes a lot of smarts to build a bomb that large) in helping other people who felt the same way, instead of attempting to 'help' innocents.
Click to expand...


Agreed, although I don’t and would not associate “mainstream” pessimistic or antinatalistic thinkers like Ligotti or Benatar with an act like this.

Terrorists may claim to have many aims, but terrorism itself has only two guaranteed outcomes: it makes those who support the act monsters, and it makes all others whose cause it is carried out in the name of appear to be monsters.

Antinatalism’s broader acceptance has not been advanced one whit by the actions of this grandstanding psychopathic idiot. Quite the opposite, in fact.

As someone broadly sympathetic to antinatalism, I should add that I have nothing but antipathy for what is called “pro-mortalism” (a position I consider at best as hopelessly misguided as “pro-natalism”).
 
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