If Aristole’s argument exists on the net and you send me a pointer, I will read, then reply.
I was writing elliptically and did not flesh out my paragraph about suffering. The elliptical conclusion to that paragraph: most people believe it is an intrinsic good to ameliorate suffering, but my position is that amelioration of suffering is only an instrumental good. The Earth has seen 100s of millions of years of suffering. What is it about the physical structure of the Universe that makes 560,000,000 years of suffering followed by no more suffering a win and 560,001,000 years of suffering followed by no more suffering a loss? (I believe that all intrinsic goods flow from the physical structure of the Universe.) I can’t see how preventing suffering is (even in part) the ultimate goal of existence.
In other words, the fact of suffering was decided long before we came into being and nothing we can do can alter that fact.
Warning! Necropost (for benefit of future readers)!
What is it about the physical structure of the Universe that makes 560,000,000 years of suffering followed by no more suffering a win and 560,001,000 years of suffering followed by no more suffering a loss? (I believe that all intrinsic goods flow from the physical structure of the Universe.)
In my other comment, I explain I believe the physical structure of the universe - the structure of humans, in particular—has caused suffering to be an evil and happiness a good. Thus, the former minimizes the bad, which is closer to a win than any alternative.
If Aristole’s argument exists on the net and you send me a pointer, I will read, then reply.
I was writing elliptically and did not flesh out my paragraph about suffering. The elliptical conclusion to that paragraph: most people believe it is an intrinsic good to ameliorate suffering, but my position is that amelioration of suffering is only an instrumental good. The Earth has seen 100s of millions of years of suffering. What is it about the physical structure of the Universe that makes 560,000,000 years of suffering followed by no more suffering a win and 560,001,000 years of suffering followed by no more suffering a loss? (I believe that all intrinsic goods flow from the physical structure of the Universe.) I can’t see how preventing suffering is (even in part) the ultimate goal of existence.
In other words, the fact of suffering was decided long before we came into being and nothing we can do can alter that fact.
No I do not believe in God. God is silly.
Warning! Necropost (for benefit of future readers)!
In my other comment, I explain I believe the physical structure of the universe - the structure of humans, in particular—has caused suffering to be an evil and happiness a good. Thus, the former minimizes the bad, which is closer to a win than any alternative.