tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post2916071886204437327..comments2023-10-29T10:32:36.914-04:00Comments on Philosophy, et cetera: Negative Utility MonstersRichard Y Chappellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16725218276285291235noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-82306901630497105592018-09-27T04:47:09.626-04:002018-09-27T04:47:09.626-04:00Thanks! Working on turning it into a brief (Analy...Thanks! Working on turning it into a brief (Analysis-style) paper now, so we'll see how that turns out...Richard Y Chappellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16725218276285291235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-83737459260868323612018-09-27T04:46:42.099-04:002018-09-27T04:46:42.099-04:00Hi, right, for the scenario to work you need to as...Hi, right, for the scenario to work you need to assume the monster is unkillable.Richard Y Chappellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16725218276285291235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-14520256699249467032018-09-27T04:35:08.116-04:002018-09-27T04:35:08.116-04:00Wow, this is a great point. I'm not sure, but ...Wow, this is a great point. I'm not sure, but I think it is original.Toby Ordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18019744097526255393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-40283401696316732762018-08-10T00:25:07.060-04:002018-08-10T00:25:07.060-04:00Curious theory, certainly one that's given me ...Curious theory, certainly one that's given me a lot to think about.<br /><br />If the monster's experience is entirely negative then killing it will bring the greatest good. Giving the monster all the cake in the world might bring it's happiness level from negative one billion to a mere negative one hundred; but killing the monster brings it's happiness level to zero (presumably after a brief dip). Meanwhile everyone else gets to enjoy their cake.<br /><br />In answer to your actual philosophical point (assuming I've untangled it correctly, your phrasings are a bit confusing at times): certainly it's possible for one individual to have a greater utilitarian worth than any and all other individuals; and this does indeed make the utilitarian response to utility monster objection into something along the lines of:<br />"well of course we'd give all the cake to the monster after we've confirmed it really does enjoy it billions of times more than we ever could. Why would you ever think we wouldn't?"<br />Like all moral codes there are a lot of variations of utilitarianism: how important is the 'greatest number' part of the 'greatest good for the greatest number' thing; and so on. In short I feel like most utilitarians would agree with your point in theory and would put it into practice in situations that are applicable in the real world.<br />What would happen if they ever actually encountered a utility monster is anyone's guess, though.<br /><br />I've been writing and deleting possible points I could raise in this comment for ten minutes now; it's been fun.<br />I think I've said all I want to say now, although I've probably forgotten something.<br />Thanks for the post.<br /><br />-4DragonsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166973674214749442noreply@blogger.com