I was recently debating a philosophical conundrum with some friends, when I realized that something that seemed morally obvious to me was actually considered abominable by others. Something that made me realize that our common understanding of morality may not be nearly as common as I had thought. Some tangential context that sets the stage. … Continue reading Would you get Blood on your Hands to Save a Life?
When Dave first heard about the basilisk from a believer, he scratched his head in confusion. “I have to give all my money to help build a super AI. And if I don't, it will one day resurrect me from the dead and torture me?” It sounded too comical to believe. And if he had … Continue reading Dave’s Basilisk
Philosophy. Morality. Utilitarianism. Deontology. These can be pretty heavy stuff, and so abstract that they don't even seem real. Maybe it would help if we tried viewing these concepts in a completely different setting... such as computer programming. Act Utilitarianism: How you write code does not matter at all. The only thing that matters is … Continue reading Philosophy in Programming
Outlook Zen 