The only sense in which it’s clear that it’s “for personal gain” is that it’s lying to get what you want. Sure, I’m with you that far—but if what someone wants is [a wonderful future for everyone], then that’s hardly what most people would describe as “for personal gain”.
If Alice lies in order to get influence, with the hope of later using that influence for altruistic ends, it seems fair to call the influence Alice gets ‘personal gain’. After all, it’s her sense of altruism that will be promoted, not a generic one.
This is not what most people mean by “for personal gain”. (I’m not disputing that Alice gets personal gain)
Insofar as the influence is required for altruistic ends, aiming for it doesn’t imply aiming for personal gain. Insofar as the influence is not required for altruistic ends, we have no basis to believe Alice was aiming for it.
“You’re just doing that for personal gain!” is not generally taken to mean that you may be genuinely doing your best to create a better world for everyone, as you see it, in a way that many would broadly endorse.
In this context, an appropriate standard is the post’s own: Does this “predictably lead people to believe false things”? Yes, it does. (if they believe it)
“Lying for personal gain” is a predictably misleading description, unless much stronger claims are being made about motivation (and I don’t think there’s sufficient evidence to back those up).
The “lying” part I can mostly go along with. (though based on a contextual ‘duty’ to speak out when it’s unusually important; and I think I’d still want to label the two situations differently: [not speaking out] and [explicitly lying] may both be undesirable, but they’re not the same thing) (I don’t really think in terms of duties, but it’s a reasonable shorthand here)
If Alice lies in order to get influence, with the hope of later using that influence for altruistic ends, it seems fair to call the influence Alice gets ‘personal gain’. After all, it’s her sense of altruism that will be promoted, not a generic one.
This is not what most people mean by “for personal gain”. (I’m not disputing that Alice gets personal gain)
Insofar as the influence is required for altruistic ends, aiming for it doesn’t imply aiming for personal gain.
Insofar as the influence is not required for altruistic ends, we have no basis to believe Alice was aiming for it.
“You’re just doing that for personal gain!” is not generally taken to mean that you may be genuinely doing your best to create a better world for everyone, as you see it, in a way that many would broadly endorse.
In this context, an appropriate standard is the post’s own:
Does this “predictably lead people to believe false things”?
Yes, it does. (if they believe it)
“Lying for personal gain” is a predictably misleading description, unless much stronger claims are being made about motivation (and I don’t think there’s sufficient evidence to back those up).
The “lying” part I can mostly go along with. (though based on a contextual ‘duty’ to speak out when it’s unusually important; and I think I’d still want to label the two situations differently: [not speaking out] and [explicitly lying] may both be undesirable, but they’re not the same thing)
(I don’t really think in terms of duties, but it’s a reasonable shorthand here)