“It doesn’t seem as ethical as more conciliatory approaches.” I agree. That is because it is not the best strategy. It may not be the worst possible strategy, but it is not the best. And since the people engaging in that strategy, their ability to think about it, over time, will lead them to adopt better strategies, namely more conciliatory approaches.
I don’t say that the good is achieved by selection alone. It is also achieved by the use of reason, by things that use reason.
Are you sure? Ont the face of it, doing things like attending peace negotiations exposes you to risks (they take the opportunity to assassinate you, they renege on the agreement, etc) that simply nuking them doesn’t.
It is also achieved by the use of reason, by things that use reason.
If people who reason well don’t get selected, where does the prevalence of good come from?
You can try to permanently exterminate them and fail. Additionally, even if you succeed in one case, you will ensure that no one else will be willing to negotiate with you even when it would be beneficial for you because they are stronger. So overall you will be decreasing your options, which makes your situation worse.
“It doesn’t seem as ethical as more conciliatory approaches.” I agree. That is because it is not the best strategy. It may not be the worst possible strategy, but it is not the best. And since the people engaging in that strategy, their ability to think about it, over time, will lead them to adopt better strategies, namely more conciliatory approaches.
I don’t say that the good is achieved by selection alone. It is also achieved by the use of reason, by things that use reason.
Are you sure? Ont the face of it, doing things like attending peace negotiations exposes you to risks (they take the opportunity to assassinate you, they renege on the agreement, etc) that simply nuking them doesn’t.
If people who reason well don’t get selected, where does the prevalence of good come from?
Yes I am sure. Of course negotiating has risks, but it doesn’t automatically make permanent enemies, and it is better not to have permanent enemies.
People who reason well do get selected. I am just saying once they are selected they can start thinking about what is good as well.
If the alternative to negotation is completely exterminating you enemies, you don’t have to worry about permanent enemies!
You can try to permanently exterminate them and fail. Additionally, even if you succeed in one case, you will ensure that no one else will be willing to negotiate with you even when it would be beneficial for you because they are stronger. So overall you will be decreasing your options, which makes your situation worse.