I don’t think I’m conflating EA with utilitarianism. In fact, I made a comment a few days ago specifically pointing out how they might differ under the post “Cognitive and emotional barriers to EA’s growth”. If you still think I’m conflating things, please point out what in specific so I can address it. Thanks.
That EA and utilitarianism are different is precisely the point being made here: you have given an argument against utilitarianism, but EA is not utilitarianism, so the argument wouldn’t demonstrate that EA is flawed.
Only my response to Objection 1 is more or less directed to the utilitarian. My response to Objection 2 is meant to defend against other justifications for saving the greater number, such as leximin or cancelling strategies. In any case, I think most EAs (even the non-utilitarians) will appeal to utilitarian reasoning to justify saving the greater number, so addressing utilitarian reasoning is important.
Hi gworley3,
Thanks for your comment.
I don’t think I’m conflating EA with utilitarianism. In fact, I made a comment a few days ago specifically pointing out how they might differ under the post “Cognitive and emotional barriers to EA’s growth”. If you still think I’m conflating things, please point out what in specific so I can address it. Thanks.
That EA and utilitarianism are different is precisely the point being made here: you have given an argument against utilitarianism, but EA is not utilitarianism, so the argument wouldn’t demonstrate that EA is flawed.
Only my response to Objection 1 is more or less directed to the utilitarian. My response to Objection 2 is meant to defend against other justifications for saving the greater number, such as leximin or cancelling strategies. In any case, I think most EAs (even the non-utilitarians) will appeal to utilitarian reasoning to justify saving the greater number, so addressing utilitarian reasoning is important.
It’s not about responses to objections, it’s about the thesis itself.