timtyler comments on Value is Fragile - Less Wrong
You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.
You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.
Comments (88)
It's a tricky and controversial issue. The cost of preserving our values looks fairly small - but any such expense diverts resources away from the task of surviving - and increases the risk of eternal oblivion. Those who are wedded to the idea of preserving their values will need to do some careful accounting on this issue, if they want the world to run such risks.
While the phrase "universal instrumental values" has the word "instrumental" in it, that's just one way of thinking about them. You could also call them "nature's values" or "god's values". You can contrast them with human values - but it isn't really an "instrumental vs terminal" issue.