Generally accepted virtues and rules are there to keep bounded-rational humans from breaking through the guardrails of Chesterton/Schelling fences, and breaking through one fence, such as “we use consequentialism to be effective and won’t stoop to supporting charities that cure rare diseases in cute puppies!” becomes a Murder-Gandhi slippery slope very easily.
“Look, we are enlightened now, we don’t need no stinking guardrails!” is an absolutely classic pitfall. I wonder if the EA community educates its members on the dangers of this.
Here is a pattern to watch out for:
Generally accepted virtues and rules are there to keep bounded-rational humans from breaking through the guardrails of Chesterton/Schelling fences, and breaking through one fence, such as “we use consequentialism to be effective and won’t stoop to supporting charities that cure rare diseases in cute puppies!” becomes a Murder-Gandhi slippery slope very easily.
“Look, we are enlightened now, we don’t need no stinking guardrails!” is an absolutely classic pitfall. I wonder if the EA community educates its members on the dangers of this.