We’re comparing two values specifically here; torture vs minor annoyances. In that case, then yes, I would rather spend X money preventing someone from being tortured then spend the same X money protecting people from getting dust in their eye. The values, IHMO, are on fundamentally different levels.
Now, if it was “torture vs. saving lives”, or something like that, then maybe you could do the math.
It’s basically the same argument as the classic “how many people have to enjoy watching a gladiatorial combat on TV in order to morally justify forcing two people to fight for the death?” I don’t think you can do that math, because the values (enjoying watching a tv show vs. human life) are on fundamentally different levels.
We’re comparing two values specifically here; torture vs minor annoyances. In that case, then yes, I would rather spend X money preventing someone from being tortured then spend the same X money protecting people from getting dust in their eye. The values, IHMO, are on fundamentally different levels.
Now, if it was “torture vs. saving lives”, or something like that, then maybe you could do the math.
It’s basically the same argument as the classic “how many people have to enjoy watching a gladiatorial combat on TV in order to morally justify forcing two people to fight for the death?” I don’t think you can do that math, because the values (enjoying watching a tv show vs. human life) are on fundamentally different levels.