202410060018 Status: #idea Tags: #philosophy #philosophy_of_science #morality #fertility_rates # The non-teleological liberal worldview is contributing to falling birthrates In the past, there was a set of *telos*, or purposes, associated with having children - further the family line, performing your Christian duty, and living a virtuous life. All of these purposes that directed people's actions towards having children also restricted their freedoms, for if you are driven to have children, much of your autonomy is now gone (as you need to care for these children). This stands directly at odds with the non-teleological liberal worldview, which states that we cannot identify an overarching purpose that applies to all people. Instead, we should aim to preserve people's essential freedoms. The people as rational, independent actors can then use these freedoms to pursue aims as they see fit. Since freedom is held as the bedrock of our society and having children severely restricts freedoms, many choose to opt out and forego having children. In addition, without the society-encompassing *telos* that encourages children (and celebrates those who have them), there are few status benefits to having children. Lastly, due to the liberal worldview of freedom, there is now an expectation that children will leave the house and become their own people, with no expectation of supporting their parents. Thus, parents invest massive effort into their children without a guarantee of any mutual support down the road. All of these together signal that the liberal project and birthrates are at odds with one another - changing the culture to increase birthrates would severely restrict freedoms, striking at the heart of liberalism. [[Even if teleological world views are wrong, they're useful]] --- # References https://becomingnoble.substack.com/p/liberal-societies-dont-have-children?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1215941&post_id=149442807&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=day7j&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email