The point is to imagine the event that is the least bad, but still bad. If dust specks doesn’t do it for you, imagine something else. What event you choose is not supposed to be the crucial part of the dilemma.
Well, masochists like experiencing some things generally regarded as unpleasant, in moderation. Also, AFAIK, it matters who causes them the experience. For instance, I’d be surprised to find out that a masochist routinely enters biker bars and severely annoys the biggest person around for the pleasure of getting a few broken bones.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of repeated broken bones, severe burns, live amputations, or water-boarding as a practiced masochistic fetish. Practiced things tend to be very mild versions of these (excepting accidents).
I don’t have Eliezer’s original article in hand, but I doubt “torture” meant 80 years of, say, a couple of daily spankings and wearing a dog collar.
(I’m not talking about sadistic people, but about masochistic ones; nor am I talking about fantasies, but what people actually choose to do.)
The point is to imagine the event that is the least bad, but still bad. If dust specks doesn’t do it for you, imagine something else. What event you choose is not supposed to be the crucial part of the dilemma.
What if torture is your low end? Think masochists.
Well, masochists like experiencing some things generally regarded as unpleasant, in moderation. Also, AFAIK, it matters who causes them the experience. For instance, I’d be surprised to find out that a masochist routinely enters biker bars and severely annoys the biggest person around for the pleasure of getting a few broken bones.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of repeated broken bones, severe burns, live amputations, or water-boarding as a practiced masochistic fetish. Practiced things tend to be very mild versions of these (excepting accidents).
I don’t have Eliezer’s original article in hand, but I doubt “torture” meant 80 years of, say, a couple of daily spankings and wearing a dog collar.
(I’m not talking about sadistic people, but about masochistic ones; nor am I talking about fantasies, but what people actually choose to do.)