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DanielLC comments on Why Does Power Corrupt? - Less Wrong
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"I am willing to admit of the theoretical possibility that someone could beat the temptation of power and then end up with no ethical choice left, except to grab the crown. But there would be a large burden of skepticism to overcome."
If all people, including yourself, become corrupt when given power, then why shouldn't you seize power for yourself? On average, you'd be no worse than anyone else, and probably at least somewhat better; there should be *some* correlation between knowing that power corrupts and not being corrupted.
Two reasons occur to me:
First, you may be able to avoid anyone getting the power. When Eliezer decided against insulting the reporter, he did not leave the position open for someone else. When Washington was offered the crown, not only did refusing it not result in it going to someone else, accepting would have (eventually).
Second, it's possible that you can do more good while neither corrupt nor in power then you could if you are corrupt and in power.