Well, first lets think about what you want for yourself. My main suggestion is to consider the possibility that you want to feel a certain way… maybe feel happy, healthy, intellectually stimulated, loved...
When I first did this, I accepted that the answer was mine to give, and I could decide randomly if I wanted to (or didn’t want not to). For lack of a better idea, I made a list of small decision trends I exhibited that seemed instinctively desirable to me, like “going swimming”, or “eating oranges”. I made a “line of best fit” and concluded that I wanted my life to be intellectually and emotionally stimulating, when integrated over time. Then I gradually modified my disposition a little, to make this approximation more accurate.
I later realized that certain emotions like happiness were physically healthier and conflicted less with intellectual functioning, thus being instrumental to a) achieving a balance between emotional and intellectual stimuli, and b) living longer to experience more stimuli. It took longer to start realizing what I wanted for others, because that involves what they want, which is often more complicated and something I can’t measure directly. Nonetheless, I’ve found myself compelled in thought experiments to help others even when it wouldn’t result in positive experiences or memories for me, so some of my morals are definitely terminal (not in place just to serve my other values).
This was a very qualitative description, but nonetheless, it gave me some structure to build on and explore.
You might try a similar approach to finding what you want for yourself: extrapolate from trends you like, or maybe away from trends you don’t. Don’t worry about how “fundamental” this makes your choice… it’s your choice, you can make it however you want to, or don’t want not to ;)
I’d strongly encourage you to consider being happy and thoughtful as things you might want for yourself. Maybe look at this pyramid.
While you’re focussed on yourself like this in order to get started, do keep in mind an intention to examine morals in due time as well. They’re harder to figure out, but I’d say they’re worth it!
Well, first lets think about what you want for yourself. My main suggestion is to consider the possibility that you want to feel a certain way… maybe feel happy, healthy, intellectually stimulated, loved...
When I first did this, I accepted that the answer was mine to give, and I could decide randomly if I wanted to (or didn’t want not to). For lack of a better idea, I made a list of small decision trends I exhibited that seemed instinctively desirable to me, like “going swimming”, or “eating oranges”. I made a “line of best fit” and concluded that I wanted my life to be intellectually and emotionally stimulating, when integrated over time. Then I gradually modified my disposition a little, to make this approximation more accurate.
I later realized that certain emotions like happiness were physically healthier and conflicted less with intellectual functioning, thus being instrumental to a) achieving a balance between emotional and intellectual stimuli, and b) living longer to experience more stimuli. It took longer to start realizing what I wanted for others, because that involves what they want, which is often more complicated and something I can’t measure directly. Nonetheless, I’ve found myself compelled in thought experiments to help others even when it wouldn’t result in positive experiences or memories for me, so some of my morals are definitely terminal (not in place just to serve my other values).
This was a very qualitative description, but nonetheless, it gave me some structure to build on and explore.
You might try a similar approach to finding what you want for yourself: extrapolate from trends you like, or maybe away from trends you don’t. Don’t worry about how “fundamental” this makes your choice… it’s your choice, you can make it however you want to, or don’t want not to ;)
I’d strongly encourage you to consider being happy and thoughtful as things you might want for yourself. Maybe look at this pyramid.
While you’re focussed on yourself like this in order to get started, do keep in mind an intention to examine morals in due time as well. They’re harder to figure out, but I’d say they’re worth it!