It seems like this is counteracted by the rationalist tendency to focus on what world-states we want, not just what options make us feel good when we think about them. If we care about someone else’s “stress” but not someone else’s “elevated adrenaline, cortisol and associated problems,” that’s a problem with our caring.
Phrasing it in terms of “stress” suggests the solution is to, e.g., take them out of stressful environments, etc. Phrasing it in terms of “elevated hormones”, suggests solutions like of anti-hormonal/anti-stress drugs.
If this doesn’t bother you, apply the same logic to “happiness”.
It seems like this is counteracted by the rationalist tendency to focus on what world-states we want, not just what options make us feel good when we think about them. If we care about someone else’s “stress” but not someone else’s “elevated adrenaline, cortisol and associated problems,” that’s a problem with our caring.
Phrasing it in terms of “stress” suggests the solution is to, e.g., take them out of stressful environments, etc. Phrasing it in terms of “elevated hormones”, suggests solutions like of anti-hormonal/anti-stress drugs.
If this doesn’t bother you, apply the same logic to “happiness”.