Lumifer comments on On Caring - Less Wrong

99 Post author: So8res 15 October 2014 01:59AM

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Comment author: CCC 14 October 2014 07:32:55AM 2 points [-]

Consider a possible invention called a neuronic whip (taken from Asimov's Foundation series). The neuronic whip, when fired at someone, does no direct damage but triggers all of the "pain" nerves at a given intensity.

Assume that Jim is hit by a neuronic whip, briefly and at low intensity. There is no damage, but there is pain. Because there is pain, Jim would almost certainly consider this a misfortune, and would prefer that it had not happened; yet there is no damage.

So, considering this counterexample, I'd say that no, not every possible misfortune includes damage. Though I imagine that most do.

Comment author: Lumifer 14 October 2014 06:00:21PM 2 points [-]

Consider a possible invention called a neuronic whip (taken from Asimov's Foundation series).

No need for sci-fi.