So the professor was playing Devil’s Advocate, in other words? I’m not familiar with the “requirements” argument he’s trying, but like a lot of people here, that’s because I think philosophy classes tend to be a waste of time. For primarily the reasons you list in the first paragraph. I’m a consequentialist, myself.
Do you actually think you’re having problems with understanding the Sequences, or just in comparing them with your Ethics classes?
It isn’t that I don’t understand the sequences on their own. It’s more that I don’t see a) how they relate to the “mainstream” (though I read Luke’s post on the various connections, morality seems to be sparse on the list, or I missed it). And b) what Eliezer in particular is trying to get across. The topics in the sequence are very widespread and don’t seem to be narrowing in on a particular idea. I found a humans guide to words many times more useful. Luke’s sequence was easier, but then there is a lot less material.
I think he was playing devil’s advocate. Thanks for the comment.
I think EY’s central point is something like: just because there’s no built-in morality for the universe, doesn’t mean there isn’t built-in morality for humans. At the same time, that “moral sense” does need care and feeding, otherwise you get slavery—and thinking spanking your kids is right.
(But it’s been a while since I’ve read the entire ME series, so I could have confused it with something else I’ve read.)
So the professor was playing Devil’s Advocate, in other words? I’m not familiar with the “requirements” argument he’s trying, but like a lot of people here, that’s because I think philosophy classes tend to be a waste of time. For primarily the reasons you list in the first paragraph. I’m a consequentialist, myself.
Do you actually think you’re having problems with understanding the Sequences, or just in comparing them with your Ethics classes?
It isn’t that I don’t understand the sequences on their own. It’s more that I don’t see a) how they relate to the “mainstream” (though I read Luke’s post on the various connections, morality seems to be sparse on the list, or I missed it). And b) what Eliezer in particular is trying to get across. The topics in the sequence are very widespread and don’t seem to be narrowing in on a particular idea. I found a humans guide to words many times more useful. Luke’s sequence was easier, but then there is a lot less material.
I think he was playing devil’s advocate. Thanks for the comment.
I think EY’s central point is something like: just because there’s no built-in morality for the universe, doesn’t mean there isn’t built-in morality for humans. At the same time, that “moral sense” does need care and feeding, otherwise you get slavery—and thinking spanking your kids is right.
(But it’s been a while since I’ve read the entire ME series, so I could have confused it with something else I’ve read.)