So, after thinking the matter over for a long time, I have concluded that the Criticism presented here is largely correct, at least in the following senses:
Finding the universality/canonicity/objectivity of a system of axiology compelling is itself an axiological preference, there is no escape from the fact that any preference for doing something rather than something else counts as a position or framework which we can, in principle reject.
The concept of “objective morality” is nonsense. The concept of “objectively canonical axiology” is probably salvageable, but quite frankly, who cares? Richard Hollerith apparently still does...
However, I think that the philosophical investigation I have undertaken here [Note my comment above: “I am interested in UIVs because I’m interested in formalizing the philosophy of transhumanism”] is still a useful exercise, because it provides a concrete articulation of a common theme in transhumanist thought, which I might call techno-worship, and hence Eliezer’s criticism of my ideas (given above) becomes a criticism of that theme.
So, after thinking the matter over for a long time, I have concluded that the Criticism presented here is largely correct, at least in the following senses:
Finding the universality/canonicity/objectivity of a system of axiology compelling is itself an axiological preference, there is no escape from the fact that any preference for doing something rather than something else counts as a position or framework which we can, in principle reject.
The concept of “objective morality” is nonsense. The concept of “objectively canonical axiology” is probably salvageable, but quite frankly, who cares? Richard Hollerith apparently still does...
However, I think that the philosophical investigation I have undertaken here [Note my comment above: “I am interested in UIVs because I’m interested in formalizing the philosophy of transhumanism”] is still a useful exercise, because it provides a concrete articulation of a common theme in transhumanist thought, which I might call techno-worship, and hence Eliezer’s criticism of my ideas (given above) becomes a criticism of that theme.