But in fact, there's going to be plenty of hurting in any realistic human society. Attempts to argue in favor of an ideology because it has a vision for minimizing (or even eliminating) hurting get into all the usual problems with utilitarianism and social engineering schemes, both theoretical and practical.
Isn't that pretty much the entire question of political philosophy? There's a reason politics is bad for rationality: it's basically about hurting people.
I'd like to see book reviews of books of interest to LW. Some suggestions:
ADDED: I don't mean I'd like to see reviews in this thread. I'd like each review to have its own thread. In discussion or on the "new" page is up to you.