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Perplexed comments on Why Do We Engage in Moral Simplification? - Less Wrong Discussion

24 Post author: Wei_Dai 14 February 2011 01:16AM

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Comment author: Perplexed 14 February 2011 09:13:20PM 0 points [-]

I'm not sure there is all that much difference at the behavioral level between a utilitarian (who sometimes fails to act in accordance with his proclaimed values) and an egoist (who sometimes fails to notice that he could have 'gotten away with it').

I think your second heuristic is a good one, though I don't personally know anyone who is so closed minded that they would be unable to undo the adoption of a moral system and the changed intuitions that came with it.

Comment author: Peterdjones 08 July 2011 08:06:10PM 0 points [-]

I think the more sophisticated versions of egoism and utilitarianism have a tendency to meet in the middle anyway. Good egoists aren't supposed to Prudently Predate (because of the effect it has on society--rather utilitarianish that). Realistiic ultilitaians needn't indulge in relentless self sacrifice.