I think these spectrum arguments are doing much more of point (1) ‘The “moral intuition” is clearly not generated by reliable intuitions’ rather than (2) ‘proving too much’.
As such I think these are genuinely useful thought experiments, as then we can discuss the issues and biases we are discussing under (1).
For example, I too would be willing to bite the bullet on Cowen’s St Petersberg Paradox Persistence edition—as I can point to the greater value each time. I think many people find it counter-intuitive due to risk adversity. Which I think is also a fine point and can be discussed readily! Or maybe someone doesn’t like transitivity—also an interesting point worth considering!
I do not think that means we can throw these thought experiments out the window, or point to them being unfair. The moral views that we’re are defending are necessarily optimising so it makes sense to point out when this optimisation process makes people think that a moral harm has been committed. Exactly what spectrum arguments are set out to do.
I think these spectrum arguments are doing much more of point (1) ‘The “moral intuition” is clearly not generated by reliable intuitions’ rather than (2) ‘proving too much’.
As such I think these are genuinely useful thought experiments, as then we can discuss the issues and biases we are discussing under (1). For example, I too would be willing to bite the bullet on Cowen’s St Petersberg Paradox Persistence edition—as I can point to the greater value each time. I think many people find it counter-intuitive due to risk adversity. Which I think is also a fine point and can be discussed readily! Or maybe someone doesn’t like transitivity—also an interesting point worth considering!
I do not think that means we can throw these thought experiments out the window, or point to them being unfair. The moral views that we’re are defending are necessarily optimising so it makes sense to point out when this optimisation process makes people think that a moral harm has been committed. Exactly what spectrum arguments are set out to do.