conchis comments on On dollars, utility, and crack cocaine - Less Wrong

13 Post author: PhilGoetz 04 April 2009 12:00AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (97)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: jimrandomh 04 April 2009 01:55:15PM 1 point [-]

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.

Comment author: conchis 04 April 2009 02:11:07PM 2 points [-]

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.