Regarding large scale suicide and optimization

General philosophy message board for Discussion and debate on other philosophical issues not directly related to veganism. Metaphysics, religion, theist vs. atheist debates, politics, general science discussion, etc.
Post Reply
Cirion Spellbinder
Master of the Forum
Posts: 1008
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:28 pm
Diet: Vegan
Location: Presumably somewhere

Regarding large scale suicide and optimization

Post by Cirion Spellbinder »

If we can guarantee that we will never do more good than the evil that has already been committed, should we attempt to destroy all sentient life? If so, how certain of a guarantee would elicit such an action? If not, why wouldn’t this be optimal?
User avatar
brimstoneSalad
neither stone nor salad
Posts: 10273
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 9:20 am
Diet: Vegan

Re: Regarding large scale suicide and optimization

Post by brimstoneSalad »

If you destroyed all sentient life, it would just evolve again.

Best to minimize harm by sticking around, even if that means you'll do more harm than good, at least it will be better than the alternative of hitting the reset button.

You always have to compare a scenario to the alternative.
Cirion Spellbinder
Master of the Forum
Posts: 1008
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:28 pm
Diet: Vegan
Location: Presumably somewhere

Re: Regarding large scale suicide and optimization

Post by Cirion Spellbinder »

@brimstoneSalad
Good response. I hadn’t thought about it that way.
Post Reply