My main contention with the argument is the assumptions it makes about future people. Assuming a society that could commit life extensions on the grand scales talked about in this argument, why is it still assumed future persons must be considered as identical to current one (who, in the argument, I assume to be the ones capable of taking or foregoing the life extensions)?
As has been mentioned, these future people are non-existent. What suggests that they will be or must be part of the equation eventually? It seems less an argument of “would you take 800 for yourself or 80 for you and your children” and more “would you take 800 for yourself and agree not to have children or would you rather have children and risk what comes?”
I know we hold sentimentality for having children (since, you know, it’s our primary function and all) but this whole argument seems more the classic “immortal children” problem: how can you fit an infinite person supply in a finite space? And the simplest answer to me seems: until you find a way to increase the space, you limit the supply. Some may not like that idea but if it’s a case of existent humans’ interests vs non-existent (and possibly never existent) human interests, then I would have to side with the former (myself being one of them makes it much easier for me of course).
Glad to see someone using Prezi.
My main contention with the argument is the assumptions it makes about future people. Assuming a society that could commit life extensions on the grand scales talked about in this argument, why is it still assumed future persons must be considered as identical to current one (who, in the argument, I assume to be the ones capable of taking or foregoing the life extensions)?
As has been mentioned, these future people are non-existent. What suggests that they will be or must be part of the equation eventually? It seems less an argument of “would you take 800 for yourself or 80 for you and your children” and more “would you take 800 for yourself and agree not to have children or would you rather have children and risk what comes?”
I know we hold sentimentality for having children (since, you know, it’s our primary function and all) but this whole argument seems more the classic “immortal children” problem: how can you fit an infinite person supply in a finite space? And the simplest answer to me seems: until you find a way to increase the space, you limit the supply. Some may not like that idea but if it’s a case of existent humans’ interests vs non-existent (and possibly never existent) human interests, then I would have to side with the former (myself being one of them makes it much easier for me of course).