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jimrandomh comments on On dollars, utility, and crack cocaine - Less Wrong
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If we really wanted to maximize happiness, then we'd jump at the chance to wirehead ourselves. We don't, because happiness is only an indicator of what we desire, not the thing we desire itself. Making yourself happier using drugs is like making yourself wealthier by telling your bank to lie to you on account statements.
It seems as though you're equivocating over 'happiness'. You suggest that happiness is just an indicator, not the thing we desire itself. Your analogy suggests otherwise. Having your bank lie to you on your statements does not actually make you wealthier. Similarly, using drugs to feel pleasure doesn't actually make you happier.
I prefer the latter usage.
Actually, happiness is one of the things I desire; it's just not the only thing I desire. And drug induced happiness can be perfectly real, even if it's not necessarily the optimal way for me to achieve a positive emotional state all things considered.
Making myself happier using drugs doesn't seem at all analogous to telling my bank to lie.