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PlaidX comments on An Abortion Dialogue - Less Wrong Discussion
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Let me turn your question around. If your utility function puts value in the mere existence of people, regardless of how they interact with the larger world, doesn't that mean having babies is as wonderful as killing people is terrible? Is somebody with 12 kids a hero?
Or a serial killer with a large family? "Sure he might have killed 3 people -- but he's a father of 5!"
I'm actually pretty sure some people who have had 12 kids are heroes or at least very altruistic when objectively analysed.
Many many people that made great contributions have come from large families of overachievers. Genetics and upbringing matter a lot. And productivity gains made by lets say 6 of the kids can easily overshadow anything that one individual could have done (even when adjusted for the fact that the kids start contributing later).
However overall if we look at the world today, the vast majority of people having 12 kids aren't heroes.