Then, given logarithmic scales of valence and open or empty individualism, it’s always going to be easier to achieve a high utility world-state with a few beings enjoying spectacular experiences, rather than filling the universe with miserable people. This is especially true when you play out a realistic scenario, and take the resources available into account.
I think that preference utilitarism dissolves a lot of the problems with utilitarism, including the one of the “repugnant conclusion”. Turns out, we do care about other things than merely a really big Happiness Number. Our values are a lot more complicated than that. Even though, ultimately, all existence is about some sort of conscious experience, otherwise, what would be the point?
P. S. Thanks for the post and the links! I think this is an important topic to address.
In the least convenient possible world where this isnt’t the case, do you accept the repugnant conclusion?
I think that preference utilitarism dissolves a lot of the problems with utilitarism, including the one of the “repugnant conclusion”. Turns out, we do care about other things than merely a really big Happiness Number. Our values are a lot more complicated than that. Even though, ultimately, all existence is about some sort of conscious experience, otherwise, what would be the point?
P. S. Thanks for the post and the links! I think this is an important topic to address.