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    Carmelics

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
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    42
    Home/Original/inverse
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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Negative utilitarianism, as Smart argued, entails that painlessly exterminating all sentient life is obligatory, since it eliminates all future suffering.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Negative utilitarianism can distinguish between preventing future suffering and eliminating existing beings' positive experiences.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The mere capacity to suffer doesn't override the value of existence; pleasure and meaning provide independent reasons against extinction.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Smart's reductio may target an extreme formulation, not negative utilitarianism properly constrained by additional principles.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.If reducing suffering is the only intrinsic good, then any world with less suffering is better, regardless of other losses.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Future sentient beings will inevitably experience suffering; extinction eliminates this certainty of future harm.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.A theory that produces absurd conclusions (mandatory extinction) reveals a flaw in its foundational axioms about value.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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