I’m not sure I understand why you use the word “discontinuity” here. In mathematical language, it’s easy to have a continuous function of perpetually-rising value that never reaches a certain value—just put an asymptote.
If instances of dust specks are being counted in this manner, it’s pretty easy to have the asymptote always be inferior to the torture-time.
...but I’m probably misunderstanding part of the discussion, on second thought.
I’m not sure I understand why you use the word “discontinuity” here. In mathematical language, it’s easy to have a continuous function of perpetually-rising value that never reaches a certain value—just put an asymptote.
If instances of dust specks are being counted in this manner, it’s pretty easy to have the asymptote always be inferior to the torture-time.
...but I’m probably misunderstanding part of the discussion, on second thought.
This post makes the point in more detail.
No, your answer is roughly what I was getting at. There is no reason a utility function has to be additive in human suffering.