Eliezer_Yudkowsky comments on Rational Terrorism or Why shouldn't we burn down tobacco fields? - Less Wrong
You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.
You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.
Comments (47)
Ah yes, the standard argument against consequentialism: X has expected positive consequences, so consequentialism says we should do it. But clearly, if people do X, the world will be a worse place. That's why practicing consequentialism makes the world a worse place, and people shouldn't be consequentialists.
Personally I'll stick with consequentialism and say a few extra words in favor of maintaing the consistency of your abstract arguments and your real expectations.
It might be better for the world if people were consequentialists. I might be better off if I did more structured exercise. That doesn't mean I am going to like either of them.