Single Idea 21467

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 5. Sexual Morality]

Full Idea

If the act of procreation were neither the outcome of a desire nor accompanied by feelings of pleasure, but a matter to be decided on the basis of purely rational considerations, is it likely the human race would still exist?

Gist of Idea

Would humanity still exist if sex wasn't both desired and pleasurable?

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (Parerga and Paralipomena [1851], XII:156)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'Essays and Aphorisms [from Pand P]', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1970], p.47


A Reaction

This is almost certainly correct in the modern world. In tougher economic circumstances people seem desperate to have children who will help them survive.