Yes I do agree that AN can be accurately described as a philosophy and that aspects of the anti-natalism argument are quite rational and that as a whole.

Thank you for clarifying the distinctions between forms of anti-natalism for too, that was very helpful for me. However, I am not sure about planets status as an 'ethical agent'. That may represents something a little beyond my philosophical understanding, but as far as I can tell people and anthropomorphize things that don't have agency and assign symbolic meanings in animate objects. I don't see why some people cannot be acting in the interest of the planet in its own right in a sentimental way.

Thats interesting. I guess i was using assuming people would consider philanthropy-misanthropy as a continuum in the way that Benatar uses it in the context of anti-natal arguments, but yes in reality 'philanthropy' doesnt quite represent a purely pro-humanity sentiment.

Nevertheless, opinions about humanity does still seem to be intuitively linked to environmentalism as, humans exist in the environment and will therefore unavoidably have an impact, either positively and negatively, on that environment.

The survey will be part of my dissertation that is due in around the end of April so I should have analysed the results by that point. I will do my best to let you know what they are but if you do not hear from me, you can contact me through my student email address: zw293028atoudotacdotuk

Yes and a survey would never be used to draw causal links anyway. What I mean is if witnessing the negative impact that human beings has on the environment is anyway related to their misanthropic and anti-natal beliefs.

The survey collects scores related to these four beliefs, and then a multiple regression analysis reveals whether any of these beliefs (as variables) co-vary. (i.e. if scoring in a particular way in variable A correlates with scoring in a particular way on B,C or D). The idea is by combining several predictor variables together and one outcome variable (recycling scores), we can explain or predict some amount of this variation in the outcome scores.

You make some valid points but regardless of how impractical or irrational you feel the misanthropic and ant-natal 'solutions' to environment damage would be, what I am particularly interested in is whether these belief systems may impact people's positions towards recycling; whether it would make sense to recycle if you hold these positions.

In regards to the survey, thank for your feedback and I am sorry to hear you had problems with it.

The survey essentially consists of 4 different scales that measure anti-natalism, misanthropy, self-perceived connection to nature, and several aspects of recycling intentions, norms, and perceived behavioral control. I didn't write statements in these scales, but they have been validated in previous research to establish (within reason) that they are measuring what they are supposed to measure.

Naturally, the nature of an online survey means that it can be challenging to design statements that are relevant to everyone involved.

In any case, thank you very much for at least attempting it.