Interesting… can you say more about why you include a term in that equation for internal negative value (what you label “suffering” here), but not internal positive value (e.g., “pleasure” or “happiness” or “joy” or “Fun” or whatever label we want to use)?
I suppose it was because the original quote started with a negative framing, the assumption that the baby might not be fed.
I think both birth and death are stressful experiences that are not worth going through unless there are compensating other factors. I don’t think infants have enough of those if they die before they grow up.
Also I suspect human life is generally overrated, and the positives of life are often used as an excuse to justify the suffering of others. I do not trust people to make a realistic estimate and act with genuine benevolence.
Interesting… can you say more about why you include a term in that equation for internal negative value (what you label “suffering” here), but not internal positive value (e.g., “pleasure” or “happiness” or “joy” or “Fun” or whatever label we want to use)?
I suppose it was because the original quote started with a negative framing, the assumption that the baby might not be fed.
I think both birth and death are stressful experiences that are not worth going through unless there are compensating other factors. I don’t think infants have enough of those if they die before they grow up.
Also I suspect human life is generally overrated, and the positives of life are often used as an excuse to justify the suffering of others. I do not trust people to make a realistic estimate and act with genuine benevolence.