X-Message-Number: 25259
From: 
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2004 11:08:02 EST
Subject: changing values

RBR writes in part:
 

>All  value systems are arbitrary; as
>long as one isn't any more likely to  get you killed than another,. 
>you have no reason to  change.

>So not only do I want to be me, I want to be me for all  time. Any
>enhancements I might make to myself would be done very  cautiously,
>and I would do them only if they were consistent with how I  am.

Very few have paid attention to the basics of built-in values and the  
possibilities for change. Most scholars, in fact, agree that "values are  

arbitrary"--in a somewhat different sense than RBR. RBR (I believe) means  that 
we 

happen to have evolved our particular built-in values, whereas most  scholars 
deny 
that there are any built-in values of objective validity, and they  also 
confuse ethics with personal values. 
 
Convention says, "You can't get an 'ought' from an 'is'"--meaning there is  
no objective way to determine what is right or wrong for you. But of course  
convention is wrong. The bedrock of "right" is (in abbreviation)  hedonism, 
hard-wired in our  biology--but not in any simple-minded  sense. Classical 

hedonism failed because it was too primitive, short-sighted,  and lacked the 
modern 
technical tools and biological insights (most of which are  still lacking). 
 
The basic insight--shared by some philosophers throughout the ages,  

including Aristotle in some of his work--is simply that we want what feels good,
and 
want to avoid what feels bad. The problem is that some wants may seem  to be 
in conflict with others or may be ultimately counterproductive or  

self-destructive. ("Altruism" and zealotry often feel good, but can hurt or kill
you.)
 
The solution is a combination of biology, logic, and engineering,  including 
possible deliberate changes in our own biology. Of course RBR is right  about 
the need for caution in change, but I think incorrect about "no reason" to  
seek change. Surely we can be and do better--enjoy more and suffer less.
 
The ultimate in this area, perhaps, is work by a young Brit, David Pearce.  

(See hedweb.com) He has written THE HEDONISTIC IMPERATIVE, the boldest step yet
 in this area. He proposes nothing less than the complete elimination of pain 
or  suffering, for all of humanity and even all of life on earth, plus 
enhancement  of pleasures. He might even be right about the possibility. 
 
My own book (YOUNIVERSE, nearing completion) is less radical but more  

practical. I have some fun, but I don't dwell much on the distant future or  
remote 
technologies, but mainly on what we can do right now to improve our lives  and 
our chances.
 
Robert Ettinger
 






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