MugaSofer comments on Wanting to Want - Less Wrong

16 Post author: Alicorn 16 May 2009 03:08AM

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Comment author: MugaSofer 26 October 2012 09:01:12AM 1 point [-]

There are many properties homosexuality has but 11-pebble heap preference don't, and vice versa. Why is evolutionary maladaptiveness worth pointing out, is my question.

Comment author: Jayson_Virissimo 26 October 2012 09:13:14AM *  1 point [-]

There are many properties homosexuality has but 11-pebble heap preference don't, and vice versa. Why is evolutionary maladaptiveness worth pointing out, is my question.

Well, if moral norms are the Nash equilibria that result from actual historical bargaining situations (that are determined largely by human nature and the ancestral environment), then it seems somewhat relevant. If moral norms are actually imperative sentences uttered by God, then it seems completely irrelevant. Etc...

I suppose whether or not the pebble-sorting metaphor is good depends on which meta-ethical theory is true. In other words, I'm agreeing with PhilGoetz; Example 2 and Example 3 are only in separate classes of meta-wants assuming a (far from universally shared) moral system.

Comment author: Ghatanathoah 26 October 2012 10:32:48AM 0 points [-]

Well, if moral norms are the Nash equilibria that result from actual historical bargaining situations

I would regard moral norms as useful heuristics for achieving morally good results, not as morality in and of itself.

I suppose whether or not the pebble-sorting metaphor is good depends on which meta-ethical theory is true.

I think that some sort of ethical naturalism (or "moral cognitivism" as Eliezer calls it) is correct, where "morally good" is somewhat synonymous with "helps people live lives full of positive values like love, joy, freedom, fairness, high challenge, etc." There is still much I'm not sure of, but I think, that is probably pretty close to the meaning of right. In Larry's case I would argue that homosexual relationships usually do help people live such lives.

Comment author: MugaSofer 26 October 2012 09:30:18AM -1 points [-]

Oh, you mean that humans might genuinely dislike homosexuality as a terminal value, because evo-psych.

... huh.