I really like the entirely new causes for optimism that are contained in this book.
I wonder sometimes, though, if Deutsch views such questions too much in the light of systems or phase transitions and thus looses the general view of morality. One central example is, as you described, his view on the ‘spaceship earth’ metaphor as a largely fearmongering response. Of course, the explanatory ability and general ability to innovate will prevail over a huge amount of adversity, like climate change. But you get the sense that these arguments remain true even if half of the world were to die tomorrow or something. Really, as long as some viable breeding population of humans in spacesuits can read instructions printed on steel etched cards, the Deutsch view has no comment and, following only this reasoning, we incur no loss.
On one hand, huge suffering is bad and should be avoided. But on the other, maybe Deutsch is right and right more intensely than even I would be comfortable with, that essentially nothing else matters than the phase transitions which he calls the beginnings of infinity.
Thanks for the review Sam and keep up the great work.
This grossly misinterprets Deutsch. He believes that individual’s have rights and rejects utilitarianism. The view isn’t “As long as some number of people are able to create knowledge it doesn’t matter if lots of people die and/or suffer.” It’s that cutting off the means of creating knowledgei s wrong, but it applies at every level (individual/institution/nation). People dying is bad.
cross-posting my comment here:
I really like the entirely new causes for optimism that are contained in this book.
I wonder sometimes, though, if Deutsch views such questions too much in the light of systems or phase transitions and thus looses the general view of morality. One central example is, as you described, his view on the ‘spaceship earth’ metaphor as a largely fearmongering response. Of course, the explanatory ability and general ability to innovate will prevail over a huge amount of adversity, like climate change. But you get the sense that these arguments remain true even if half of the world were to die tomorrow or something. Really, as long as some viable breeding population of humans in spacesuits can read instructions printed on steel etched cards, the Deutsch view has no comment and, following only this reasoning, we incur no loss.
On one hand, huge suffering is bad and should be avoided. But on the other, maybe Deutsch is right and right more intensely than even I would be comfortable with, that essentially nothing else matters than the phase transitions which he calls the beginnings of infinity.
Thanks for the review Sam and keep up the great work.
This grossly misinterprets Deutsch. He believes that individual’s have rights and rejects utilitarianism. The view isn’t “As long as some number of people are able to create knowledge it doesn’t matter if lots of people die and/or suffer.” It’s that cutting off the means of creating knowledgei s wrong, but it applies at every level (individual/institution/nation). People dying is bad.