Well, to the extent not saving the rich person would reduce total wealth. That would very much depend on the rich person, the nature of their wealth and who their heirs would be.
Yes, 2nd-order effects make it more complicated. But the simplifying assumption of no effect on other people is a reasonable one for addressing the questions we’re trying to answer here. The hypothetical is meant to express something about how to value future people. If we prevent extinction, then we are saving future people and their wealth.
Well, to the extent not saving the rich person would reduce total wealth. That would very much depend on the rich person, the nature of their wealth and who their heirs would be.
Yes, 2nd-order effects make it more complicated. But the simplifying assumption of no effect on other people is a reasonable one for addressing the questions we’re trying to answer here. The hypothetical is meant to express something about how to value future people. If we prevent extinction, then we are saving future people and their wealth.