From: Stefan Pernar (stefan.pernar@gmail.com)
Date: Mon Apr 28 2008 - 06:21:19 MDT
On Sun, Apr 27, 2008 at 11:21 AM, Matt Mahoney <matmahoney@yahoo.com> wrote:
> --- Stefan Pernar <stefan.pernar@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I was following the discussion from the sideline but think it is time
> > to point you to an alternative to Elizier's CEV.
> >
> > You can find my paper on friendliness called 'Practical Benevolence -
> > a Rational Philosophy of Morality' at:
> >
> >
>
> http://rationalmorality.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/practical-benevolence-2007-12-06_iostemp.pdf
> >
> > In it I combine Kantian moral philosophy with Darwinian evolution to
> > form a moral theory based in rational choice.
>
> In section 1.7 you state that existence is preferable to non-existence,
> and that existence is defined as the ability to be perceived. From
> this you conclude that it is the agent's interest to ensure continuous
> co-existence.
>
> This is the crux of your argument. I believe it is flawed. Evolution
> does not define existence as the ability to be perceived. It only
> matters that your genes are propagated. It does not matter if other
> animals are aware of your existence for you to exist. If they are
> predators or prey, it is preferable that they do not perceive you.
>
Very good point. I will have to meditate over this, however I do not see it
as invalidating the underlying logic = 'to exist is preferable over not to
exist' and the derived conclusions. Let me redefine it better. Maybe 'to
exist = being part of reality'? Suggestions?
Humans have a goal of being perceived by other humans. This is called
> "ego". Tribes whose members desire attention have a competitive
> advantage because ego leads to sharing of information, a common
> language, reciprocal attention and friendship, and ability to organize
> into companies and armies. For example, we would not post
> noncommercial messages to the internet without ego.
>
> But ego is not universal. Many animals are nonsocial. Some social
> species like ants and bees act out of instinct rather than learn social
> behavior out of a desire for attention.
>
>
> -- Matt Mahoney, matmahoney@yahoo.com
>
Totally agree.
-- Stefan Pernar 3-E-101 Silver Maple Garden #6 Cai Hong Road, Da Shan Zi Chao Yang District 100015 Beijing P.R. CHINA Mobil: +86 1391 009 1931 Skype: Stefan.Pernar
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