A Partial Solution to the Non-Identity Problem

Abstract

This chapter takes a fresh look at the non-identity problem and presents a partial solution that is different from those that have so far been attempted. Its solution focuses on Parfit’s remark that, if a person born from a ‘different people choice’ has a life worth living, and so does not regret existing, the decision wrongs no one. But some ‘different people choices’ can produce people who regret being born even though they are glad to be alive and have lives worth living. These cases have so far not been discussed in the literature on the non-identity problem, and seem to escape the paradoxical conclusions that Parfit draws in other ‘different people choices’. This chapter argues that the chance of future regret provides a reason not to select a given embryo or possible person.