Well, suppose I’m a successful assassin: my life seems to me to have very high utility, but in fact I am the source of overwhelming net disutility. I take my life to be worth living, but you might think if I were clear-eyed about my situation, I would consider a painless death to be preferable than going on as before.
But that’s just off the top of my head, I haven’t really thought that through.
Well, suppose I’m a successful assassin: my life seems to me to have very high utility, but in fact I am the source of overwhelming net disutility. I take my life to be worth living, but you might think if I were clear-eyed about my situation, I would consider a painless death to be preferable than going on as before.
But that’s just off the top of my head, I haven’t really thought that through.
I was discussing immediate impacts rather than indirect consequences. Discussion of indirect consequences will follow.