Utility Functions are a way to represent preferences, such that states of the universe that map to larger numbers are more desirable. If every state of the universe mapped to the same utility, for example 0, that represents having no preference about anything at all.
Well, empathy for others is built into me...
It looks like you got the core point of this article.
Yeah, I’m somewhat familiar with the concept of utility… I suppose what I wanted clarified was “utility for whom,” but I guess it’s obvious Eliezer was being tongue-in-cheek about this.
Still, it’s surprising how often you find people saying “nothing matters, because the universe is heading toward heat death/there is no afterlife/we’re just chemicals.” What can you do but laugh and remember the opening of Annie Hall? :)
Utility Functions are a way to represent preferences, such that states of the universe that map to larger numbers are more desirable. If every state of the universe mapped to the same utility, for example 0, that represents having no preference about anything at all.
It looks like you got the core point of this article.
Yeah, I’m somewhat familiar with the concept of utility… I suppose what I wanted clarified was “utility for whom,” but I guess it’s obvious Eliezer was being tongue-in-cheek about this.
Still, it’s surprising how often you find people saying “nothing matters, because the universe is heading toward heat death/there is no afterlife/we’re just chemicals.” What can you do but laugh and remember the opening of Annie Hall? :)