In theory, Christians can go one up on non-believers in the self-sacrificing stakes, which is to act in such a way as to condemn themselves to Hell, a fate which I would consider worse than non-existence. If they do it for the greater benefit of mankind this might be seen as a supreme act of virtue.
You know, you’re right. I suppose it’s debatable that both a transhumanist sacrificing indefinitely large positive utilities of continued existence, and a religionist e.g. rescuing ten slaves at what they sincerely anticipate to be the price of eternal damnation, are both facing “indefinitely large” personal utility differentials. But it would certainly take more courage for a Christian to defy God and go to hell!
I don’t know of a good real-world case, but it seems probable that at least once in history, someone did something they were sincerely convinced would condemn themselves to hell, to save the soul (not just life) of one or more people they loved more. If so, that says more about the human spirit than even John Perry’s sacrifice.
Wow. Didn’t think of that at all. Defying God for the sake of what you know deep down is right, has Gandhi beat cold.
In theory, Christians can go one up on non-believers in the self-sacrificing stakes, which is to act in such a way as to condemn themselves to Hell, a fate which I would consider worse than non-existence. If they do it for the greater benefit of mankind this might be seen as a supreme act of virtue.
You know, you’re right. I suppose it’s debatable that both a transhumanist sacrificing indefinitely large positive utilities of continued existence, and a religionist e.g. rescuing ten slaves at what they sincerely anticipate to be the price of eternal damnation, are both facing “indefinitely large” personal utility differentials. But it would certainly take more courage for a Christian to defy God and go to hell!
I don’t know of a good real-world case, but it seems probable that at least once in history, someone did something they were sincerely convinced would condemn themselves to hell, to save the soul (not just life) of one or more people they loved more. If so, that says more about the human spirit than even John Perry’s sacrifice.
Wow. Didn’t think of that at all. Defying God for the sake of what you know deep down is right, has Gandhi beat cold.