X-Message-Number: 25440
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 08:16:57 -0800
Subject: No Objective Values, to Robert
From: <>

Dear Robert:

You wrote, in part:

"But the merest common sense will tell us (if we think about it  
long  enough and hard enough) that it is presumptively true that 
(1) we can reorganize our motivations in ways that will reduce the 
counterproductive aspects of our current habits; and (2) possibly 
even restructure our basic  biology in ways that will improve our 
enjoyment of life."

I agree 100%. However, note your use of the word 
'counterproductive' and the phrase 'improve our enjoyment'. 
Clearly, what we view as counterproductive (for example, you would 
say pain is something that should be eliminated altogether, while I 
would certainly be in favor of drastic reductions and elimination 
of some kinds of pain) depends on who we are, as does what we 
consider 'enjoyment'.

For example, my desires to survive and to avoid pain and to 
experience happiness are all evolved through natural selection. 
These desires cause me to want to change myself in certain ways---
to change other traits of myself which were similarly evolved 
through natural selection (such as my ability to experience severe 
depression, which has its origin in evolution but which could 
possibly cause myself to commit suicide, and which, therefore, I 
would be happier without).

I have no problem with people wanting to modify themselves in ways 
they subjectively view as 'better'. I just take to task people who 
deny that their conception of 'better' is subjective, or that it is 
somehow not a result of natural selection. 'Better' is inherently 
subjective, and no matter how hard you try and fight it, you are 
still a product of evolution, and every desire you have, including 
the desire to modify yourself, is therefore a product of evolution.

We are humans. I embrace my humanity and value my desire to survive 
and enjoy life, and I will be happy to modify myself in ways I deem 
likely to satiate my (evolution-created) desire for more and 
lasting happiness. But at the same time, I am not going to pretend 
that I can somehow 'rise above' my humanity, as if such a thing 
could make sense. There is no 'rising above' anything, there is 
only modification according to a subjective value system, a value 
system shaped by evolutionary forces.

Best Regards,

Richard B. R.

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