Spurlock comments on Tendencies in reflective equilibrium - Less Wrong

27 Post author: Yvain 20 July 2011 10:38AM

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Comment author: Spurlock 20 July 2011 07:27:29PM *  0 points [-]

Fixed thanks. But no, I meant specks. It seems like utilitarianism (as opposed to just typical intuitive morality) commands you to inflict Torture. You only want to choose specks because your brain doesn't multiply properly, etc.

Of course, not everyone agrees that Utilitarianism picks Torture, but the argument for Torture is certainly a utilitarian one. So in this case picking Specks anyway seems like a case of overriding (at least naive versions of) utilitarianism.

Comment author: TrE 21 July 2011 09:32:19AM *  0 points [-]

Wait...

Most coherent formulations of utilitarianism must choose specks, yet many utilitarians are hesitant to do so.

Are you sure that should be specks? If so, I am confused.

Comment author: Spurlock 21 July 2011 11:45:57AM 1 point [-]

Wow. Sorry, you're obviously right. Brain totally misfired on me I guess.